2015-16 International Free Agency Thread

[Guest]

@kileymcd: Lucius Fox has a cool name, 70 speed & is now the best player available for July 2nd. Teams/bonus rumors & more http://t.co/vEbAhDqCIB

 

As I tweeted yesterday, Bahamas-born and recently but shortly American-educated shortstop Lucius Fox was declared an international free agent by Major League Baseball. He won’t be eligible to sign until July 2nd when the 2015-16 signing period opens and the team bonus pools reset, but he would’ve waited until then to sign anyway, since most of the 2014-15 signing pool money had been spent.

 

Fox was always seen as likely to land as an international prospect since he was born in the Bahamas and moved back home, but it wasn’t a slam dunk because MLB is very aware of player moving out of the U.S. to potentially get more money by ducking the draft. Many elite domestic prospects have investigated this process and found the red tape to make it nearly impossible to work through.

 

...

 

After talking to scouts the last few days, it has emerged that the Dodgers, Cubs and Rangers are the three biggest threats for Fox. The Dodgers have the most money to spend of any MLB team and have proven they will blow anyone out of the water when the want a player, while the Cubs have already committed to spend about $12.5 million this summer on bonuses and penalties (with a roughly $3.2 million bonus pool). The Rangers are arguably the most aggressive international spender in the last ten years and lately have been specifically looking for an athletic shortstop to add to their class, a type of player they’ve had success signing in the past.

 

All three have shown interest in Fox already and rumors have been going around in the early going with multiple teams connected to Fox and numbers starting in the mid-1’s and some going well over $2 million. The Padres, Reds and Giants have all also been mentioned in these rumors and appear to be securely in the mix, but likely with less appetite to spend than the three favorites.  The Dodgers should be technically installed as favorites at this point given the new regime’s recent international history (offering Moncada $35 million, signing little-known RHP Pablo Fernandez for $8 million, signing 2B Hector Olivera for $62.5 million and three more rumored big July 2nd deals mentioned here), but it’s too early to know how this will play out over the next few months.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Another top young prospect has left Cuba. This time it's Yusnier Diaz, an 18-year-old OF who hit .348 as a rookie: http://t.co/XDk9F0nVw3

 

@BenBadler: Diaz likely would have been rookie of the year in Cuba. Athletic OF with an impressive track record of hitting in Cuba’s junior leagues.

 

Diaz will be subject to the international bonus pools, though it could take a while for him to sign. Like any Cuban player, Diaz will have to establish residency in another country, at which point he will be cleared to sign in the eyes of the United States government. However, Major League Baseball’s rules require any player born after Sept. 1, 1995 to register with the commissioner’s office in order to be able to sign during the following international signing period. For players to be eligible to sign for the upcoming 2015-16 signing period that begins on July 2, the registration deadline is May 15. Given how implausible it would be for a person to acquire legal permanent residence in another country in a month, that seems out of the question. Since MLB’s position has been to not grant any registration exemptions, even for Cuban players, that means Diaz likely will not be eligible to sign until July 2, 2016, unless MLB grants him an exception. That would prevent the Angels, Diamondbacks, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees from signing him, as well as any team that goes more than 15 percent beyond their bonus pool for the upcoming 2015-16 signing period.

[Guest]

Jesse Sanchez and MLB.com's top 30 IFA prospects: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2015?list=int

 

Jesse expects the Cubs to sign the following 5 from the top 30:

 

9. Yonathan Perlaza, SS, Venezuela

13. Yonathan Sierra Estiwal, OF, Dominican Republic

16. Aramis Ademan, SS, Dominican Republic

23. Miguel Amaya, C, Panama

25. Christopher Martinez, 3B, Dominican Republic

 

Additionally, it sounds like it's between the Cubs and White Sox for RHP Anderson Amarista of Venezuela.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

They'll have to trade Castro to make room for all those shortstops.

[Cubswin11]

Not that it's international FA, but are there any big time Japanese players expected to be posted this winter?

[Guest]

Not that it's international FA, but are there any big time Japanese players expected to be posted this winter?

 

I don't think there's any new news, but Maeda was almost posted last offseason and still wants to be posted so it could happen this year.

[sontensei]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

[Johnny OHagan]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

 

No nothing from BA, Fangraphs or anywhere else for that matter. The following 4 were left with no team "favoured" to sign between either MLB and Kiley McDaniel. Keeping an eye on these 4.

Name Pos Rank

Alvaro Seijas P 6

Albert Guaimaro OF 11

Miguel Aparicio OF 22

Simon Muzziotti OF 24

[davell]

Reading back thru Kiley's and cross referencing-He had Amarista as new info. Possible he got his info on him after Jesse got his on that particular player. He also has Estivel as allegedly signing with the Rangers, assuming Jonathan Sierra and Yonathan Sierra Estivel are the same.

 

I guess a bunch of this stuff gets pretty volatile, but in the past, I'd heard most agreements are air tight once made. Product of getting earlier articles on these guys, I guess.

[Guest]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

 

No nothing from BA, Fangraphs or anywhere else for that matter. The following 4 were left with no team "favoured" to sign between either MLB and Kiley McDaniel. Keeping an eye on these 4.

Name Pos Rank

Alvaro Seijas P 6

Albert Guaimaro OF 11

Miguel Aparicio OF 22

Simon Muzziotti OF 24

 

Plus Lucius Fox will be newly available on 7/2.

[Guest]

@kileymcd: 20-year-old Cuban CF Eddy Martinez is eligible to sign now, but his market/timing is unclear. Int'l scouting dir called him "impact talent."

 

@kileymcd: Martinez has 70 speed, 50 raw power & can sign before or after July 2nd. Expected to get 8 figure bonus, would obv send team over bonus pool

[Guest]

@kileymcd: 20-year-old Cuban CF Eddy Martinez is eligible to sign now, but his market/timing is unclear. Int'l scouting dir called him "impact talent."

 

@kileymcd: Martinez has 70 speed, 50 raw power & can sign before or after July 2nd. Expected to get 8 figure bonus, would obv send team over bonus pool

 

The Cubs are interested:

 

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Oh boy:

 

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[CubsWin]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

 

No nothing from BA, Fangraphs or anywhere else for that matter. The following 4 were left with no team "favoured" to sign between either MLB and Kiley McDaniel. Keeping an eye on these 4.

Name Pos Rank

Alvaro Seijas P 6

Albert Guaimaro OF 11

Miguel Aparicio OF 22

Simon Muzziotti OF 24

MLB has Seijas likely signing with the Cardinals. :banghead:

 

They also have the Red Sox in the lead for Guaimaro and Muzziotti, but other teams (including the Cubs on Muzziotti) are in the mix.

[BrockLanders]

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This seems like a big deal.

[Johnny OHagan]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

 

No nothing from BA, Fangraphs or anywhere else for that matter. The following 4 were left with no team "favoured" to sign between either MLB and Kiley McDaniel. Keeping an eye on these 4.

Name Pos Rank

Alvaro Seijas P 6

Albert Guaimaro OF 11

Miguel Aparicio OF 22

Simon Muzziotti OF 24

MLB has Seijas likely signing with the Cardinals. :banghead:

 

They also have the Red Sox in the lead for Guaimaro and Muzziotti, but other teams (including the Cubs on Muzziotti) are in the mix.

 

Yeah they seem to have updated the list. Looks like we will have to be happy signing 6 of the Top 30.

[Hrubes20]

Any word on who Alvaro Seijas is said to be signing with? just read this article

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

as a 16 year old? O.o

 

No nothing from BA, Fangraphs or anywhere else for that matter. The following 4 were left with no team "favoured" to sign between either MLB and Kiley McDaniel. Keeping an eye on these 4.

Name Pos Rank

Alvaro Seijas P 6

Albert Guaimaro OF 11

Miguel Aparicio OF 22

Simon Muzziotti OF 24

MLB has Seijas likely signing with the Cardinals. :banghead:

 

They also have the Red Sox in the lead for Guaimaro and Muzziotti, but other teams (including the Cubs on Muzziotti) are in the mix.

 

Yeah they seem to have updated the list. Looks like we will have to be happy signing 6 of the Top 30.

 

Did nobody else find it odd that he would list the Red Sox as the lead team for 2 top 30 prospects, yet they are subject to spending restrictions of $350K after signing Moncada? I just highly doubt that they are legit contenders for any top 30 types.

[davell]

I guess it'd have to be a package type deal, that isn't able to be uncovered by MLB or the player has agreed to a deal prior to his stock rising. I guess it's at least possible.

[wvcbxl]

Not sure where to put this, but this seems like the most appropiate place: moves are going on to set up a professional baseball league in Europe, hoping to start in 2016. So far, nine (existing) teams have signed up: two each from the Netherlands, France and Spain, and one each from Italy (well, technically San Marino), Germany and the Czech Republic.

[Guest]

Not sure where to put this, but this seems like the most appropiate place: moves are going on to set up a professional baseball league in Europe, hoping to start in 2016. So far, nine (existing) teams have signed up: two each from the Netherlands, France and Spain, and one each from Italy (well, technically San Marino), Germany and the Czech Republic.

Road trip!

[wvcbxl]

Not sure where to put this, but this seems like the most appropiate place: moves are going on to set up a professional baseball league in Europe, hoping to start in 2016. So far, nine (existing) teams have signed up: two each from the Netherlands, France and Spain, and one each from Italy (well, technically San Marino), Germany and the Czech Republic.

Road trip!

 

Thank god this isn't the movie thread :wink:

[ctcf]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/thehistoryrat/status/606544352534355968[/tweet]

 

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[RammyFanny]

Getting Martinez and/or Fox would turn our haul into pure awesomeness. Martinez especially. MLB.com has some pretty impressive grades on him.

[sontensei]

so let me get this straight, for this IFA deal each team is given a maximum spend and if they go over that amount, they get restricted the following year?

 

So if the cubs went ahead and spent 20 million or whatever this year they might as well spend 30 since they will get penalized anyways next year is that right?

[CubsWin]

so let me get this straight, for this IFA deal each team is given a maximum spend and if they go over that amount, they get restricted the following year?

 

So if the cubs went ahead and spent 20 million or whatever this year they might as well spend 30 since they will get penalized anyways next year is that right?

For the next two years, but yes.

 

That's why if they can't land Martinez, I wouldn't be upset if they stayed within their limits this year, especially considering that it's a decent amount this season and won't be next year. And then blow it out in 2016 when most, if not all of their big money competition will be restricted (the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and others). Kevin Maitan will be eligible to sign in 2016. He's been compared to Miggy and is from the same country. Many say he's a once in a decade talent.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/the-next-elite-july-2nd-prospect/

 

Go get Martinez, but if you can't, keep your powder dry and get Maitan next year. The one big caveat, of course, is if there's reason to believe an IFA draft will be instituted by then...

[davell]

It looks like they've got around 8 mill or so already committed this year. They're going over. One of the worst things you can do down there is welch on deals. The handlers truly lose interest in doing business with you.

 

Plus, with as many Cubans defecting as there seems to be, going over is going to put us in a very small group with the ability to get them.

 

As much as I love the idea of Maitan, we're obviously headed in a different direction.