2012 International Free Agent Market

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Some July 2 Names

 

Franklin Barreto, SS/CF, Venezuela - linked to the Blue Jays

Luis Torrens, C, Venezuela - linked to the Yankees

Gustavo Cabrera, OF, Dominican Republic - linked to the Royals

Jose Mujica, RHP, Venezuela - linked to the Blue Jays

Luis Castro, SS, Venezuela - linked to the Rockies

Alexander Palma, OF, Venezuela - linked to the Yankees

Jose Castillo, LHP, Venezuela - linked to the Padres and Red Sox

Amed Rosario, SS, Dominican Republic

Luiz Gohara, LHP, Brazil - linked to the Mariners

Jairo Beras, OF, Dominican Republic - signed with the Rangers to a contract that is being investigated by MLB due to irregularities with his age

Amaurys Minier, SS, Dominican Republic

Wendell Rijo, SS/2B, Dominican Republic

Richard Urena, SS, Dominican Republic

Frandy De La Rosa, SS, Dominican Republic

Nathanael Javier, 3B, Dominican Republic

Luis Barrera, OF, Dominican Republic

Ronny Carvajal, OF, Dominican Republic

Julio De La Cruz, 3B, Dominican Republic

Jose Pujols, OF, Dominican Republic

Devi Grullon, C, Dominican Republic

Tzu-Wei Lin, SS, Taiwan

Juan Carlos Arias, 3B, Dominican Republic

Sergio Alcantara, SS, Dominican Republic

David Rodriguez, C, Venezuela

Joshua Lopez, C, Venezuela

Melvin Novoa, C, Nicaragua

Carlos Belen, 3B, Dominican Republic

Gabby Vizcaino, RHP, Dominican Republic

Kristin Trompiz, SS, Venezuel

Edmundo Sosa, SS, Panama

Felix Liriano, RHP, Dominican Republic

Yeralf Torres, RHP, Dominican Republic

 

 

Story on the DPL All-Star Day: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120201&content_id=26544700&c_id=

 

"In the States, we have things like the Area Code Games and all of these things are showcases," Minaya said. "This league is similar. It's an evolution of the teams and trainers coming together. A league like this it brings everybody together, which makes the information better and the evaluations better."

 

In addition to this week's events, the DPL will take two teams to Arizona and Florida for showcases and games in March and hold another All-Star Workout Day and All-Star Game in May, several weeks before Major League Baseball's international signing period begins on July 2. The league kicked off the year with a round-robin event called the Louisville Slugger Tournament Series.

 

Actual Signings

 

Cubs (International Pool for signings on or after 7/2/12 - $2,380,000 million spent out of $2.9 million available or $3,045,000 available without forfeiting any of next year's international pool):

 

OF Jorge Soler, Cuba - age 20 - 9 years/$30 million

LHP Gerardo Concepcion, Cuba - age 20 - 5 years/$6 million ($3 million signing bonus)

RHP Juan Carlos Paniagua, Dominican Republic - age 22 - $1.5 million bonus

SS Frandy De La Rosa, Dominican Republic - age 16 - $700,000 bonus

SS Danny Guitierrez, Venezuela - age 17 - $185,000 bonus

RHP Ramon Valera, Venezeula - age 18 - $170,000 bonus

RHP Wagner Disla, Dominican Republic - age 17 - $100,000 bonus

RHP Oscar de la Cruz, Dominican Republic - age 17 - $85,000 bonus

RHP Luis Hernandez, Dominican Republic - age 17 - $80,000 bonus

LHP Jose Morel, Dominican Republic - age 18 - $80,000 bonus

LHP Andin Diaz, Dominican Republic

RHP Greyfer Eregua, Dominican Republic

RHP Francisco Carrillo, Dominican Republic

[davell]

Crisotomo signed for 98,500, for what it's worth. I guess the guys who haven't signed to this point, typically aren't as well thought of and get less money. I did see the Cards signed a RHP for 750,000 a few days ago and signed one of the top LHP left yesterday as well, no bonus available yet. The 2 big names I'm aware of still left out there are Manuel Gonzalez, a 6'4, 220 pound RHP. He's 16 and throws up to 95 already. He's the guy I really want to see us get. That said, quite a few of these guys have already come to agreements that just haven't been announced. Helsin Martinez, an OF, was thought to have been given over a mill by Seattle, but it fell through, and he's still available as well. The only other guy on Badler's top 40 expected bonuses is RHP Gialy Arias. I know a pitcher named Jose Luis Mendez has turned some heads this winter as well and could get a solid bonus as well though. It'd be nice to see us add another rather lofty bonus guy out of this group.

[wvcbxl]

The Mariners have signed 16yr old LHP Alexandre Roy, a product of the Rouen Huskies in France - no details on the signing bonus.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/news/2012/2613020.html

 

When asked if a worldwide draft is inevitable, Selig said, "It is inevitable. I would like to see it. We have made some significant progress to that end. When we went to the draft in 1965, it was to create a more level playing field. We've done that, and the same thing will have to happen internationally."

 

...

 

The CBA also outlines the potential for a worldwide draft. Last November, MLB sent clubs a nine-page document explaining the changes to the rules governing international signings in the new CBA. One club official joked that the new rules were so complicated, everyone would prefer an international draft.

 

Selig didn't offer a timeline for when a change would occur or details on how it would be implemented.

 

"We'll watch the situation carefully and make the right decision," he said. "I can't say [when a draft would be put in place]. We want to see how [the process] works out."

[davell]

Jairo Beras just signed for 4.5 mill with the Rangers. His age is in question and this looks like it could be a very interesting case to watch develop. Supposedly turned 17 in December, other teams are furious because they all think he's a 7/2 guy.

[Bear Cub]

What pray tell happened to the Gerardo Concepcion signing?

[Guest]

Jairo Beras just signed for 4.5 mill with the Rangers. His age is in question and this looks like it could be a very interesting case to watch develop. Supposedly turned 17 in December, other teams are furious because they all think he's a 7/2 guy.

 

Kevin Goldstein thinks the deal will not stick (good, free story):

 

Baseball Prospectus[/url]"]3. What happens from here? No matter how the limited facts in this case are interpreted at this point, nearly every interpretation ends with what would be referred to legally as deception. If the player presented himself to be 16 years old—and such a birth certificate submitted to Major League Baseball would be the smoking gun—then the player has misrepresented his age. If Major League Baseball agrees, then his contract with Texas would be voided, and the player would likely be suspended from signing for a period of one year.

 

As with everything in international signings, there are potential loopholes, as the official rules state that a player cannot misrepresent his age when signing with a club. Under the strictest of definitions, if Beras is truly 17, he did not lie about his age upon signing, but the rule is to be interpreted by Major League Baseball, which must already be horribly embarrassed by the entire situation. Beras was the big name in this year's international class, and Beras was the player everybody wanted to watch in this showcase for a league that MLB itself has funded and is very proud of.

 

Unfortunately, the Dominican Republic has seen corruption at multiple levels in the past, from buscones to scouts to the major league baseball investigators themselves. Nothing about this deal looks good for baseball, and nothing about this deal looks like it will stick for the Rangers or the player, and in the end, the person who will pay the steepest price is probably Jairo Beras, who deserves it most and can afford it least.

[Guest]

Aaron Fitt's story:

 

Baseball America[/url]"]The report generated huge buzz across the industry because people were under the impression that Beras would not be eligible to sign until July 2, 2012. Beras had been presenting himself with a birthdate of Dec. 25, 1995, as recently as an MLB showcase earlier this month, which would make him 16. According to the report that broke today, however, Beras is now listed as 17, which would make him eligible to sign right away.

 

A Rangers official declined to comment on the signing. Beras' trainer, Carlos Guzman, did not respond to a message seeking comment. Baseball America could not independently confirm the report of Beras' signing or his new birthdate, and while there was confusion this morning in the international scouting community, some sources outside the organization said they believed the report that the Rangers had signed him was accurate. An MLB official said the commissioner's office is currently reviewing the case.

 

If he is using a new date of birth, Beras could be in trouble beyond MLB. In April 2011, Beras represented the Dominican Republic in an international tournament in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. At the tournament, Beras was also listed with a Dec. 25, 1995 date of birth, with one roster listing his name as Jairo Veras (scouts from other organizations confirmed that they are the same person).

 

...

 

For any Latin American prospect, there is an enormous financial advantage to being eligible to sign now instead of having to wait until July 2. Under the rules of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams will be limited to a $2.9 million budget for signing bonuses for international amateurs. If teams go over the limit, they will be subject to a harsh tax and restrictions on international signings in future years. However, those rules don't go into effect until July 2, so players who sign before then are operating under the old system with no restrictions.

 

"If he was 16 trying to be 17 to manipulate a loophole, he should be suspended," said another international scouting director. "There's no way this contract should be approved."

[Guest]

LOL:

 

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/541404431.jpg?key=640424&Expires=1332389789&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=pqHChDs68viuqi9rIKY1oWB-mMFY1BaCU0Sa-AXHny1FEKEVpNpeRN8iWOtHhARqsbnZVNXPt-AcIDwsPz2RijbQml7gN7RvFG7M6zQEB~~sqGjZ46y33AsPiS4yupY18LHQcF0jXM8Bf6FaSqp3AJN2yJGxZ60WMSd4ataF3g8_

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Rotfl is that real?

 

I think this should be some kind of signal to their FO to the let the Cubs fix up Matusz.

[Guest]

Rotfl is that real?

 

I think this should be some kind of signal to their FO to the let the Cubs fix up Matusz.

 

Yes, it's based on the Seong-Min Kim controversy.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613037.html

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Yes, it's based on the Seong-Min Kim controversy.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613037.html

 

Wow, what a stupid mistake for an experienced guy like Duquette to make. They really just can't get it right...even guys like Weiters and Matusz, who have enormous talent, have been mild or worse disappointments.

 

Sucks because you look at some of the guys on their roster and then their farm system with Machado/Bundy and you want to have hope for them. They even have a solid home park for that good team when it's ready. Ownership and that FO just seem to prolong the whole process with general ineptitude...

[Guest]

@BenBadler Having baseball's worst record has twice the benefits this year. Now you get the No. 1 draft pick and the biggest international bonus pool.

 

Now Theo's plan to tank is becoming clearer.

[davell]

Next year, instead of every team having 2.9 mill to spend, it'll go from 5 mill for the worst record, down to 1.8 mill. Every little bit helps, but with the amount of players that get signed along with the fact some teams don't spend much anyway, this could very easily become a big deal. Not to mention, if the Cubs are looking to add some MLB FA next off-season, they could really exploit this next year, go over their amount, and take the penalty of not being allowed to sign anyone over 250,000 the following season.

[davell]

I'm on my cell, so I can't post a link, but MLB.com has their list of the top 20 July 2nd prospects.

[iowahawkeyes89]

I'm on my cell, so I can't post a link, but MLB.com has their list of the top 20 July 2nd prospects.

 

Was just about to post this

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?tcid=mm_mlb_news

[Guest]

More on the int'l free agent rules: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613333.html

[Guest]

IF Tzu-Wei Lin is the top Taiwanese prospect this year and could possibly get the biggest bonus of all time for a Taiwanese amateur. He can sign once he graduates from HS, which is before 7/2.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613332.html

 

The Latin American IFA market is so shady.

[davell]

http://ht.ly/1jyCtH

 

Excellent read on how teams may be trying to play the system and find loopholes.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I'm on my cell, so I can't post a link, but MLB.com has their list of the top 20 July 2nd prospects.

 

Was just about to post this

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp?tcid=mm_mlb_news

 

Man that J. Upton comp is getting used more and more amongst incoming prospects....Kind of says a lot about the not-even-27 real thing, no? This year I've read it for Buxton, New Cabrera, and Soler.

 

He should be a Cub. A worthy RH power RF replacement for Sosa a decade later.

 

Palma and Mujica (7 and 8) catch the eye.

[Guest]

Outlining New International Rules for 2012-13

 

Teams Dig For Ways Around New International Rules

[SouthSideRyan]

Interesting read on the loopholes. I say we set up a handshake agreement with teams friendly to us (Padres?) to sign each other's players for small amounts, then immediately releasing them.

[KingCubsFan]

Is it against the rules for a MLB team to own a foreign team? Ricketts should just set up a shadow farm system by a buying a foreign team and sending players there.

[davell]

My guess is we'll skirt as many rules as we possibly can here. Seeing that the top 6 bonuses at 50,000 and under don't count against our cap and same with signings under 7,500 helps us out a decent amount honestly. As the article says, it gives a team the ability to get to 3.2 mill rather easily. Then, if you take the under 5% penalty, it puts you around 3.5 at least. I was all for spending whatever and taking the max penalty, but since next year teams will all be operating off of different pool amounts, it doesn't make sense, with us likely to have a rather high number to begin with. If anything, NEXT year is the year to go "all in" especially with the possibility of a draft coming soon.