2015-16 International Free Agency Thread

[davell]

From Kiley's chat today.....

 

Kiley McDaniel: So he’s a 16 year old Cuban named Lazaro Armenteros that defected. He’s about to start open workouts and I’ve talked to some scouts that saw him in int’l tourneys and one guy that saw him working out for smaller groups of scouts in the Caribbean recently.

 

He’s a built 6’2/205 with some projection, 65-70 speed, at least plus raw power and at least a plus arm, with the grades varying a bit on each of those grades given the incomplete looks and an age where things are still improving, but the lowest I’m hearing so far on those tools is 60. It’s a CF/RF fit, though he’s played some 1B/3B. You can see why Yasiel Puig is a common name mentioned as a similar player.

 

He’s more physically developed that almost all the recent big July 2 names you’d ask me to compare him to and the guys I talked to said he isn’t a tools goof with no feel, he’s actually got some instincts.

 

You can try to triangulate this and you end up in the Yoan Moncada type territory ($31.5M bonus from BOS that came with $31.5M penalty and two-year sanctions on signings over $300K) pretty quickly. Hard to say for sure if it’ll be above or below that, but everyone I’ve talked to said it will be huge money.

 

Way too early to know a team to project, but I’ve said many times that all the top Cubans this period will be tied to the Dodgers by default since they have limitless amounts of money and are going over during this period…which was a direct result of passing on Moncada late last period to instead go over for more than just one player. There’s a number of other Cubans that would be $5M+ types and would be pool-eligible once they get cleared to sign…so the Dodgers may finally find their financial limits in this market, but not without getting plenty of talent first.

 

Also a bit on Martinez and Diaz...

 

12:33

Comment From Wrenzie

Who has more ceiling between Yusniel Diaz or Eddy Julio Martinez?

 

Kiley McDaniel: Martinez. I have Eddy (20 years old) as a 65 runner with a 55 arm and 50 raw power that profiles as an everyday CF that could be above average depending on if the bat is a 45 or a 55. I have Yusniel (19) as a 60 runner with a 55 arm and 40 raw power that can be an everyday guy if he hits enough (50 or 55).

[CubsWin]

Duck the Fodgers. Assuming their make-ups pass muster, go get Armenteros and Gutierrez, Theo...

[davell]

If Armenteros is actually going to cost Moncada type money, I'd love to add him. But that money would be better spent on the ML roster.

 

That said, if he DOES cost that much, it'll surely open up an arm or two, that the Dodgers will pass on. As Alvarez and Armenteros alone could conceivably cost the Dodgers 100 mill alone(with penalties) by themselves.

[CubsWin]

If Armenteros is actually going to cost Moncada type money, I'd love to add him. But that money would be better spent on the ML roster.

As I understand it, the Zell tax deal is in place until 2019 and will limit what the payroll can be vis a vis the amount of debt the Cubs have. But IFA money isn't affected. Is that accurate or am I off?

[davell]

Theo has talked about the baseball ops budget including the draft, IFA's, and ML payroll(pretty sure he said FO salaries too). The only thing that could potentially be accounted for elsewhere is the overage tax. And that's just my speculation.

[Guest]

Looks like the early hype on Martinez was overdone. Only $2.5 million.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[davell]

Yeah, Badler nailed that one. If he didnt have another team offering more than that, his stock wasn't nearly what the hype made it out to be.

[Guest]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/651546237661908992[/tweet]

 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/651548506449051649[/tweet]

 

Oh.

[davell]

Kiley mentioned in his chat today that he bypassed 7 mill, wanting more, changed agents and settled....So maybe they're trying to get the teams that initially offered(then moved on evidently) back into the mix.

 

Very interesting for sure. But the landscape has changed a ton since those offers were likely made. Hopefully he's getting good advice now. Seems like he should have taken 7 for sure.

[Vinestal]

@JesseSanchezMLB: Source: #Cubs have met Eddy Julio Martinez's asking price. Cuban OF has signed a $3 million deal with Chicago. http://t.co/VjwGy6s8Ij

[Guest]

now get that lazaro guy

[Vinestal]

@keithlaw: Cubs have a potential agreement with Cuban CF Eddy Julio Martinez for $3 million, pending a physical.

[Vinestal]

@JeffPassan: Cubs have an agreement with Cuban CF Eddy Julio Martinez for $3M, as @JesseSanchezMLB first reported. Previous deal with Giants collapsed.

[Guest]

[ptr joke]

 

looks like they felt ok upping the ante once they secured that extra playoff game revenue[/ptr joke]

[ARCubsFan]

Theo don't give an F

[Fro]

Isn't this basically the money we can't spend on the amateur draft next year because #wearegood?

[rawaction]

So...... This is pretty good.

[davell]

Dropping from 4 to 28 in the draft is going to change that budget drastically. So yeah, reallocating it towards IFA's is awesome.

 

I like the fact Keith Law seems high on him too. I just want some pitching now. Lazarito, if he costs Moncada type money.....That needs to go into ML payroll....

[Guest]

Since we signed him, it would be cool if he looks way better than initial scouting reports a la Puig.

[Guest]

now get that lazaro guy

 

Him and Ona if he becomes eligible.

[Guest]

now get that lazaro guy

 

Him and Ona if he becomes eligible.

Just play it safe and sign them all.

[RammyFanny]

Awesome.

[Sammy Sofa]

[highlight=green]Maybe they'll get the Cuban thing right this time.[/highlight]

[Gmoney08]

Forgive me on not knowing a ton about Eddy. How raw is he? Could he be in Wrigley by next year?

[ARCubsFan]

Forgive me on not knowing a ton about Eddy. How raw is he? Could he be in Wrigley by next year?

I wouldn't expect it unless he just rakes at every level they send him to. I think this says a lot about what they think of Albert Almora though.