2012 International Free Agent Market

[Guest]

Jairo Beras suspended for a year but his contract is upheld. Huge break for the Rangers.

[Guest]

That Joeby guy who has had some of our draft signings and such in the past says we signed Paniagua.

 

Joeby231: The Cubs have also signed an international pitcher who’s last name is Paniagua supposedly a stud

 

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?p=22960808#post22960808

[Guest]

That Joeby guy who has had some of our draft signings and such in the past says we signed Paniagua.

 

Joeby231: The Cubs have also signed an international pitcher who’s last name is Paniagua supposedly a stud

 

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?p=22960808#post22960808

Not too big a surprise, it seems the Cubs were favored for some time. It can't be official till this Thursday, when his suspension is lifted. I wonder how much Paniagua signs for and if that leaves the Cubs any wiggle room for anymore 6-figure bonuses.

 

I hope all the paperwork is in order this time around so he can actually pitch.

[Guest]

I know his repertoire has been talked about, but how good exactly is he projected to be? Where would he have gone in the draft or might he be a top 100 guy off the bat (or relatively soon)? Would he at least be a top 10 in the system and immediately our best pitching prospect?

[Guest]

I know his repertoire has been talked about, but how good exactly is he projected to be? Where would he have gone in the draft or might he be a top 100 guy off the bat (or relatively soon)? Would he at least be a top 10 in the system and immediately our best pitching prospect?

 

That's a good question for Ben Badler; I have no idea how to gauge his ability right now.

 

The scouting reports read first round stuff but he's the age of a college senior with none of the experience (all he has is a half season in the DSL when he signed with the Yankees plus tons of working out while he was suspended).

 

If I had to guess, I'd say he's a top-20 prospect in our system with a higher ceiling than all but Maples and Underwood but I would rank a few prospects who are younger and have more experience but lesser ceilings (Pierce Johnson, Jose Rosario, etc.) along with Maples and Underwood ahead of him.

[davell]

I fully expect us to sign Paniagua. But, I honestly think the PSD guys are spoiled and way too trusting in who brings inside info, rightfully so, in a way, because they have Marlin and ABTY bringing in info quite often. Even a guy named ABE evidently is actually friends with Dempster. But joeby? Sorry, he's never said anything that makes me think he's anything more than a guy with decent reasoning skills. Yes, he called some tough signs last year in the draft. After it was widely known we were going to spend big and even then, he was saying some of them were signed before they were. Maples and Dunston have both remarked on Twitter they didn't have a clue what they were doing until the final day, but he was saying they were signed long beforehand. Then, he called us signing Soler. Sorry, but that was rumored for so long anyone on earth could have saw that coming. And once again, he was saying it a long time ago, meanwhile we were sitting there knowing the Yanks, Braves, Dodgers and others were still trying to sign him up until the very end. Now, he calls Paniagua. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben Badler is the man when it comes to this stuff and when he says something, he's hinting bigtime. So he mentions we're after Paniagua, most people can assume we'll get him. It's how I am, and probably most people as well.

 

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

[davell]

I know his repertoire has been talked about, but how good exactly is he projected to be? Where would he have gone in the draft or might he be a top 100 guy off the bat (or relatively soon)? Would he at least be a top 10 in the system and immediately our best pitching prospect?

 

That's a good question for Ben Badler; I have no idea how to gauge his ability right now.

 

The scouting reports read first round stuff but he's the age of a college senior with none of the experience (all he has is a half season in the DSL when he signed with the Yankees plus tons of working out while he was suspended).

 

Ben's not really giving answers on that kind of stuff, at least not to me. I can't even get out of him if he's projected as a starter or reliever. Or what level it's likely he could start out at. And Ben answers most anything I send him.

[Guest]

I fully expect us to sign Paniagua. But, I honestly think the PSD guys are spoiled and way too trusting in who brings inside info, rightfully so, in a way, because they have Marlin and ABTY bringing in info quite often. Even a guy named ABE evidently is actually friends with Dempster. But joeby? Sorry, he's never said anything that makes me think he's anything more than a guy with decent reasoning skills. Yes, he called some tough signs last year in the draft. After it was widely known we were going to spend big and even then, he was saying some of them were signed before they were. Maples and Dunston have both remarked on Twitter they didn't have a clue what they were doing until the final day, but he was saying they were signed long beforehand. Then, he called us signing Soler. Sorry, but that was rumored for so long anyone on earth could have saw that coming. And once again, he was saying it a long time ago, meanwhile we were sitting there knowing the Yanks, Braves, Dodgers and others were still trying to sign him up until the very end. Now, he calls Paniagua. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben Badler is the man when it comes to this stuff and when he says something, he's hinting bigtime. So he mentions we're after Paniagua, most people can assume we'll get him. It's how I am, and probably most people as well.

 

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

He also said that Hickman would sign shortly after Almora.

[Guest]

I know his repertoire has been talked about, but how good exactly is he projected to be? Where would he have gone in the draft or might he be a top 100 guy off the bat (or relatively soon)? Would he at least be a top 10 in the system and immediately our best pitching prospect?

 

That's a good question for Ben Badler; I have no idea how to gauge his ability right now.

 

The scouting reports read first round stuff but he's the age of a college senior with none of the experience (all he has is a half season in the DSL when he signed with the Yankees plus tons of working out while he was suspended).

 

Ben's not really giving answers on that kind of stuff, at least not to me. I can't even get out of him if he's projected as a starter or reliever. Or what level it's likely he could start out at. And Ben answers most anything I send him.

 

I think he's more likely to answer those questions once a player signs, especially since he can get info from the teams then.

 

I edited my previous post to include a guess on where I'd rank him.

[RammyFanny]

I fully expect us to sign Paniagua. But, I honestly think the PSD guys are spoiled and way too trusting in who brings inside info, rightfully so, in a way, because they have Marlin and ABTY bringing in info quite often. Even a guy named ABE evidently is actually friends with Dempster. But joeby? Sorry, he's never said anything that makes me think he's anything more than a guy with decent reasoning skills. Yes, he called some tough signs last year in the draft. After it was widely known we were going to spend big and even then, he was saying some of them were signed before they were. Maples and Dunston have both remarked on Twitter they didn't have a clue what they were doing until the final day, but he was saying they were signed long beforehand. Then, he called us signing Soler. Sorry, but that was rumored for so long anyone on earth could have saw that coming. And once again, he was saying it a long time ago, meanwhile we were sitting there knowing the Yanks, Braves, Dodgers and others were still trying to sign him up until the very end. Now, he calls Paniagua. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben Badler is the man when it comes to this stuff and when he says something, he's hinting bigtime. So he mentions we're after Paniagua, most people can assume we'll get him. It's how I am, and probably most people as well.

 

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

He also said that Hickman would sign shortly after Almora.

And that we won the bidding for Darvish.

[Guest]

I fully expect us to sign Paniagua. But, I honestly think the PSD guys are spoiled and way too trusting in who brings inside info, rightfully so, in a way, because they have Marlin and ABTY bringing in info quite often. Even a guy named ABE evidently is actually friends with Dempster. But joeby? Sorry, he's never said anything that makes me think he's anything more than a guy with decent reasoning skills. Yes, he called some tough signs last year in the draft. After it was widely known we were going to spend big and even then, he was saying some of them were signed before they were. Maples and Dunston have both remarked on Twitter they didn't have a clue what they were doing until the final day, but he was saying they were signed long beforehand. Then, he called us signing Soler. Sorry, but that was rumored for so long anyone on earth could have saw that coming. And once again, he was saying it a long time ago, meanwhile we were sitting there knowing the Yanks, Braves, Dodgers and others were still trying to sign him up until the very end. Now, he calls Paniagua. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben Badler is the man when it comes to this stuff and when he says something, he's hinting bigtime. So he mentions we're after Paniagua, most people can assume we'll get him. It's how I am, and probably most people as well.

 

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

What has ABE said about Dempster?

[Guest]

I fully expect us to sign Paniagua. But, I honestly think the PSD guys are spoiled and way too trusting in who brings inside info, rightfully so, in a way, because they have Marlin and ABTY bringing in info quite often. Even a guy named ABE evidently is actually friends with Dempster. But joeby? Sorry, he's never said anything that makes me think he's anything more than a guy with decent reasoning skills. Yes, he called some tough signs last year in the draft. After it was widely known we were going to spend big and even then, he was saying some of them were signed before they were. Maples and Dunston have both remarked on Twitter they didn't have a clue what they were doing until the final day, but he was saying they were signed long beforehand. Then, he called us signing Soler. Sorry, but that was rumored for so long anyone on earth could have saw that coming. And once again, he was saying it a long time ago, meanwhile we were sitting there knowing the Yanks, Braves, Dodgers and others were still trying to sign him up until the very end. Now, he calls Paniagua. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben Badler is the man when it comes to this stuff and when he says something, he's hinting bigtime. So he mentions we're after Paniagua, most people can assume we'll get him. It's how I am, and probably most people as well.

 

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

What has ABE said about Dempster?

 

That he wants to ride Harleys with Lilly in LA.

[davell]

I think he's listed a preferred group of teams Demp wants to be traded to as well, in order of preference. I can't remember completely, but think it was Dodgers, Tigers, Braves, Yankees, and White Sox. ould have the last 2 wrong.

[RammyFanny]

Well, tomorrows the day for Paniagua. I'd imagine we hear something on him relatively soon.

[davell]

Badler's the man. Paniagua signed for 1.5

[Guest]

Paniagua signs with the Cubs for $1.5 million. The Cubs have now spent $2.2 million internationally since 7/2.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/07/cubs-sign-juan-carlos-paniagua-for-1-5-million/

 

Like any international signing, Paniagua will still require a background investigation and the contract approval of Major League Baseball, which in Paniagua's case has been a problem before.

 

...

 

During his time off, his fastball rose from peaking at 92 mph to touching 98 mph, and in 2011 he signed with the Yankees for $1.1 million as Juan Carlos Paniagua. MLB also terminated that contract due to what the league called "falsified documents" and declared him ineligible to sign for one year, a penalty that ended today.

 

Paniagua hasn't shown the same velocity he had when he signed with the Yankees—he sat at 93-95 mph at a May workout in Puerto Rico—but his 81-84 mph slider has improved after some scouts last year thought it was a slurvy pitch that graded out behind his changeup. He also throws an occasional curveball, and while he was around the plate in Puerto Rico, his command and pitchability have been issues in the past.

[craig]

Interesting. Given the spending cap, that is a BIG bonus. Bader hadn't included him in his top-20 international prospects that he listed on July 2 (http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/07/top-20-international-prospects-tracker/), but BA's list shows only two guys with bonuses bigger than $1.5, a LHP at 1.55 to Toronto and 1.75 for a Mets SS.

 

 

I hope Paniagua's slider is good, or his fastball movement is exceptional. 93-95 sounds fairly good, but if a guy spends all month gearing up for a well-publicized showcase, and has the adrenalin pumping, that really isn't very impressive. Might be a guy who's mostly throwing 88-92 when he's 50+ innings into a season and he's pitching in Beloit or Jupiter.

 

But, the Cub scouts know all that. So they must have liked what they've seen. Hope he plays out better than Concepcion.

[Guest]

Interesting. Given the spending cap, that is a BIG bonus. Bader hadn't included him in his top-20 international prospects that he listed on July 2 (http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/07/top-20-international-prospects-tracker/), but BA's list shows only two guys with bonuses bigger than $1.5, a LHP at 1.55 to Toronto and 1.75 for a Mets SS.

 

 

I hope Paniagua's slider is good, or his fastball movement is exceptional. 93-95 sounds fairly good, but if a guy spends all month gearing up for a well-publicized showcase, and has the adrenalin pumping, that really isn't very impressive. Might be a guy who's mostly throwing 88-92 when he's 50+ innings into a season and he's pitching in Beloit or Jupiter.

 

But, the Cub scouts know all that. So they must have liked what they've seen. Hope he plays out better than Concepcion.

 

Craig, he wasn't included because BA had a caveat that they wouldn't include previously eligible prospects in their top 20 lists.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

Someone is going to take a screenshot on you. Better be careful.

[17 Seconds]

Paniagua

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

At his age, I would think so RT @RaisinMan101 Awesome! You said he could move quickly - Does Peoria make sense?

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

Yes RT @RaisinMan101 Thank you! Would you consider him a top 30 prospect in the Cubs system?

Edited July 20, 2012 by 17 Seconds

[davell]

But, the bottom line is this with joeby: Let him bring something that's not been talked about to the table, then maybe I'll believe. That's what Marlin and ABTY have done, ABE as well, with Dempster. But, as until then, this guy is just a good deductive reasoner, taking credit for stuff most people can already see coming.

 

Someone is going to take a screenshot on you. Better be careful.

Yeah, I know. I actually posted the same thing there though. One of their best posters is convinced the guy is legit, while another of their best guys agreed with me. At any rate, it's awesome to get him signed. I hope he projects as a starter, not a reliever.

[Guest]

Paniagua

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

At his age, I would think so RT @RaisinMan101 Awesome! You said he could move quickly - Does Peoria make sense?

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

Yes RT @RaisinMan101 Thank you! Would you consider him a top 30 prospect in the Cubs system?

 

Davell, I told you Ben would answer questions on Paniagua's value as a prospect once he signed. Either that or he just likes me more.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Does Paniagua become our default pitching prospect until the mythical Dillon Maples finally throws a baseball?

[davell]

Paniagua

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

At his age, I would think so RT @RaisinMan101 Awesome! You said he could move quickly - Does Peoria make sense?

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler

 

Yes RT @RaisinMan101 Thank you! Would you consider him a top 30 prospect in the Cubs system?

 

Davell, I told you Ben would answer questions on Paniagua's value as a prospect once he signed. Either that or he just likes me more.

Yeah, you're right. Probably on both accounts actually. Ha. He's great and answers most everything from me, but has avoided my Paniagua questions like the plague.

[davell]

Does Paniagua become our default pitching prospect until the mythical Dillon Maples finally throws a baseball?

no, because we also drafted Pierce Johnson, Blackburn, and Underwood. Hell, if Rosario's arm didn't fall off last night, I'd probably have him ahead of Maples too.