2014-15 International Free Agency Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Obviously the Cubs won't be very active next year. Nevertheless, here are some of the top prospects for 2014-15:

 

SS Dermis Garcia - possibly the top prospect. He'll sign with the Yankees

OF Bryan Peña

RHP Huascar Ynoa - Michel's younger brother

 

Some early 7/2/2015 names:

 

OF Rafioly Urena

OF Franmil Reyes - Franklin's younger brother (Padres prospect)

OF/1B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr

3B Fernando Tatis, Jr

 

----

 

Cubs signings:

 

Wander Cabrera, LHP, Dominican Republic - $250,000 bonus

Yeiler Peguero, SS, Dominican Republic - $250,000 bonus

Emilio Ferrebus, RHP, Venezuela - $250,000 bonus

Tony Rijo, 3B, Dominican Republic - $100,000 bonus

Francisco Garay, SS, Panama

[Guest]

Just how far can we go with the quantity approach next year? How many can we sign?

[mul21]

Just how far can we go with the quantity approach next year? How many can we sign?

 

I'm pretty sure we can sign as many as we want for less than $250K up to the spending cap.

[Guest]

Just how far can we go with the quantity approach next year? How many can we sign?

 

I'm pretty sure we can sign as many as we want for less than $250K up to the spending cap.

 

I honestly wouldn't even be shocked if that yielded better results overall than the "spend big on the top guys" approach.

[Guest]

Just how far can we go with the quantity approach next year? How many can we sign?

 

I'm pretty sure we can sign as many as we want for less than $250K up to the spending cap.

 

Correct. Of course there are only so many prospects valued at $250,000 each year. They'll probably have a pool over $4 million, so technically they probably can sign approximately 35 kids to that bonus.

 

Also, there are some questionable ways to sign guys worth more (sign player A for $250K who is worth $500K, sign player B who is worth $25K from the same buscone for $250K).

[WrigleyField 22]

I'd have to imagine they trade at least one of the slots. And even then you're probably talking about being real aggressive on the 100k range guys and just overpaying the ones you like the most.

[illiniguy]

Vlad Jr. Damn that happened fast.

[Cubswin11]

Vlad Jr. Damn that happened fast.

Is he considered to be a pretty good prospect or just a name? He may become my #1 IFA target just on name/pedigree alone

[Guest]

Vlad Jr. Damn that happened fast.

Is he considered to be a pretty good prospect or just a name? He may become my #1 IFA target just on name/pedigree alone

 

Kiley McDaniel said he looks like a high-6 figure guy but obviously there's some time for him to improve.

 

Don't forget the current top prospect for 2015's draft is Mike Cameron's son.

[TruffleShuffle]

is that supposed to be fernando tatis jr, or is there really some guy named fernando tatos?

[Cubswin11]

Vlad Jr. Damn that happened fast.

Is he considered to be a pretty good prospect or just a name? He may become my #1 IFA target just on name/pedigree alone

 

Kiley McDaniel said he looks like a high-6 figure guy but obviously there's some time for him to improve.

 

Don't forget the current top prospect for 2015's draft is Mike Cameron's son.

That's right, I was hoping that knowing who the top 2015 draft guys are wouldn't be relevant/something we should already be looking at. But unfortunately it appears we should be preparing for another top 7ish pick in 2015.

[Guest]

is that supposed to be fernando tatis jr, or is there really some guy named fernando tatos?

 

Crap. It's Tatis.

[Cubswin11]

is that supposed to be fernando tatis jr, or is there really some guy named fernando tatos?

Nephew of Ron Mexico

[davell]

I do think the strategy this year will be to target specific trainers and try to buy package deals. Obviously, it's our only shot at winding up with what's considered an elite talent or something close to it.

 

Yeah, I can see us trading away a slot or two. But I can also see us signing 20-25 guys in the 50-250k range as well. Mostly pitching. And I'd be completely fine with that.

[Cubswin11]

Can we trade money this year for money next year when we don't have restrictions and presumably may be looking to go over slotted amount again.

[davell]

Can we trade money this year for money next year when we don't have restrictions and presumably may be looking to go over slotted amount again.

No. And there's a decent chance that if the Yankees go out and spend 15 mill or so on July 2nd guys, a draft could happen in 2015. Although, I hate it, if that's the case.

 

How many rounds would it be? Do teams get a total spending amount and allocate it however they want?(probably) What do you do with the fact that teams bring in very wide amounts of players each year? Anywhere from around 10 to some teams bringing in 30 and 40.

 

My guess is a 20 round draft where teams are allowed to spend their allocated money in any way they want, followed by minimal level signings that are unlimited.

 

Unsure how young Cuban defectors, without OFAC clearance would be handled. Having them wait a full year after defecting, I guess? No clue on Pac Rim guys, European players, or Aussies. Just seems like if there is a draft, there'd need to be a list of draft-eligible players, and I'm not so sure that is an easy thing to come up with, in this case. Maybe give teams a discretionary budget for pop-up guys they can use? Or trade? Or roll over? Hell, I guess it COULD work.

 

 

My guess is MLB would screw things up though.

[Guest]

Kiley McDaniel said he heard rumors that the Yankees might spend up to $20 million on IFAs this summer.

[davell]

Kiley McDaniel said he heard rumors that the Yankees might spend up to $20 million on IFAs this summer.

 

Damnit. That's what we should have done this year. Not to mention, if our idea is to trade away space this year, my guess is that's out the window now. No one else is going to need space, if the Yankees spend that much.

[treebird]

Kiley McDaniel said he heard rumors that the Yankees might spend up to $20 million on IFAs this summer.

 

Damnit. That's what we should have done this year. Not to mention, if our idea is to trade away space this year, my guess is that's out the window now. No one else is going to need space, if the Yankees spend that much.

 

we don't have that kind of money

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Kiley McDaniel said he heard rumors that the Yankees might spend up to $20 million on IFAs this summer.

 

Damnit. That's what we should have done this year. Not to mention, if our idea is to trade away space this year, my guess is that's out the window now. No one else is going to need space, if the Yankees spend that much.

 

we don't have that kind of money

 

We were only able to spend $11m or whatever because we gave away David Dejesus.

[treebird]

Kiley McDaniel said he heard rumors that the Yankees might spend up to $20 million on IFAs this summer.

 

Damnit. That's what we should have done this year. Not to mention, if our idea is to trade away space this year, my guess is that's out the window now. No one else is going to need space, if the Yankees spend that much.

 

we don't have that kind of money

 

We were only able to spend $11m or whatever because we gave away David Dejesus.

 

and traded torreyes for cash

[Hairyducked Idiot]

ZIPS has Torreyes as a 1.2 WAR player this year. Because projection systems have weird blind spots sometimes.

[Guest]

The Cubs will have an international bonus pool of $3,962,700, per Jim Callis: http://jimcallis.mlblogs.com/2014/04/02/draft-international-values-increase-by-1-7-percent/#more-201

[Guest]

Yeesh. Why MLB has teams competing for 14-year olds: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/scouting-children-why-mlb-has-teams-competing-for-14-year-olds/

 

The player is 13 years old, international class of 2016. It’s a school day, but instead he’s here, taking infield on a professional diamond. If the agent doesn’t get him now, someone else will. By paying a family and his youth league coach a few thousand dollars today, a trainer can secure in the neighborhood of 20-40 percent of a player’s future signing bonus.

 

In Latin America, this sight is not unusual. The system now in place with Major League Baseball drives teams to aggressively scout 14-year-old boys, with trainers and agents looking for the next great 12-year-old. Want to sign one of the top 16-year-old players for this year? You’re probably too late. The aggressive nature of international scouting, combined with MLB’s bonus pool system, gives players incentive to reach agreements with teams earlier than ever. The 2014-15 international signing period begins on July 2, but for some teams, it’s already over, and has been for several months. The race is on to sign the top players for 2015.

[Guest]

Yeesh. Why MLB has teams competing for 14-year olds: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/scouting-children-why-mlb-has-teams-competing-for-14-year-olds/

 

The player is 13 years old, international class of 2016. It’s a school day, but instead he’s here, taking infield on a professional diamond. If the agent doesn’t get him now, someone else will. By paying a family and his youth league coach a few thousand dollars today, a trainer can secure in the neighborhood of 20-40 percent of a player’s future signing bonus.

 

In Latin America, this sight is not unusual. The system now in place with Major League Baseball drives teams to aggressively scout 14-year-old boys, with trainers and agents looking for the next great 12-year-old. Want to sign one of the top 16-year-old players for this year? You’re probably too late. The aggressive nature of international scouting, combined with MLB’s bonus pool system, gives players incentive to reach agreements with teams earlier than ever. The 2014-15 international signing period begins on July 2, but for some teams, it’s already over, and has been for several months. The race is on to sign the top players for 2015.

It's as dirty as SEC FOOTBALL.