2015-16 International Free Agency Thread

[craig]

 

All 6'3, 180 lbs of Yadier Alvarez

 

He makes CJ Edwards look kind of chunky!

[Guest]

The Cubs' cap is $3,230,700: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2015-16-mlb-international-bonus-pools/

 

The Diamondbacks have the highest pool but due to penalties, can't sign anyone over $300,000. The Red Sox also have a pool $400k higher than the Cubs and can't go over. Nice trade partner if the Cubs don't want to go over.

[ctcf]

Twins appear to have a $4 million deal in place with 16 y/o Dominican SS Wander Javier for this year's July 2nd deadline.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/17091-mn-said-to-have-4-m-deal-with-16yo-ss-for-july-2/

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/july-2nd-plans-are-coming-into-focus/

 

Here's Kiley's article. Dodgers leading now on Heredia, it seems. Cubs not mentioned on any of the big name bonus guys. One team has 6 signings at around 7.5 mill-I could definitely see that being us. I could also see us stay within budget and spend huge NEXT year on Maitin and whoever else, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and hopefully the Dodgers all being spent out. I think that's what I'm hoping for actually.

[Cubswin11]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/july-2nd-plans-are-coming-into-focus/

 

Here's Kiley's article. Dodgers leading now on Heredia, it seems. Cubs not mentioned on any of the big name bonus guys. One team has 6 signings at around 7.5 mill-I could definitely see that being us. I could also see us stay within budget and spend huge NEXT year on Maitin and whoever else, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and hopefully the Dodgers all being spent out. I think that's what I'm hoping for actually.

That's what I'm hoping for too, assuming Kilye's article is correct and we aren't in on the top guys. Would rather sign guys to avoid penalties and go really big after Maitan.

[Guest]

Twins appear to have a $4 million deal in place with 16 y/o Dominican SS Wander Javier for this year's July 2nd deadline.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/17091-mn-said-to-have-4-m-deal-with-16yo-ss-for-july-2/

If I had 4 M$ as a 16 year old I probably wouldn't have made it to 17.

[apete6]

Twins appear to have a $4 million deal in place with 16 y/o Dominican SS Wander Javier for this year's July 2nd deadline.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/17091-mn-said-to-have-4-m-deal-with-16yo-ss-for-july-2/

If I had 4 M$ as a 16 year old I probably wouldn't have made it to 17.

 

In fairness, his handlers and family members will probably steal most of it from him and he won't get to enjoy any of it.

[treebird]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/july-2nd-plans-are-coming-into-focus/

 

Here's Kiley's article. Dodgers leading now on Heredia, it seems. Cubs not mentioned on any of the big name bonus guys. One team has 6 signings at around 7.5 mill-I could definitely see that being us. I could also see us stay within budget and spend huge NEXT year on Maitin and whoever else, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and hopefully the Dodgers all being spent out. I think that's what I'm hoping for actually.

 

i'm kind of thinking we just stay within the standard limits all the time with these kids so we can be eligible to sign the next big-time young cuban dude who shows up. i think i'd rather have one moncada than five gleyber/eloys.

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/july-2nd-plans-are-coming-into-focus/

 

Here's Kiley's article. Dodgers leading now on Heredia, it seems. Cubs not mentioned on any of the big name bonus guys. One team has 6 signings at around 7.5 mill-I could definitely see that being us. I could also see us stay within budget and spend huge NEXT year on Maitin and whoever else, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and hopefully the Dodgers all being spent out. I think that's what I'm hoping for actually.

 

i'm kind of thinking we just stay within the standard limits all the time with these kids so we can be eligible to sign the next big-time young cuban dude who shows up. i think i'd rather have one moncada than five gleyber/eloys.

 

It appears this Maitan kid IS that type of guy next year.

[davell]

Anyone able to share Badler's piece on our IFA stuff from last year? Looks like we signed 47 guys and 17 to 6 figure bonuses. Which is pretty good in strength/numbers obviously.

[Johnny OHagan]

Some of the info on the $250k signings.

 

BA's Cubs International Review

 

What way do people say it play out this year? I think they take a similar approach this year when they have a high pool to work with and sign a few lesser player but maybe in the 400k to 750k range. Then completely blow the budget the following year when they have little or no competition for international prospects.

 

--- Edited by Tim

 

Please post a link to the content instead of posting the entire article.

[craig]

Thanks much, Johnny! I think they're going to try to spend this year, while the current rules still apply.

[Guest]

Jorge Arangure on the current IFA rules: https://sports.vice.com/article/the-issue-that-may-divide-mlb-and-the-union

[Johnny OHagan]

Jorge Arangure on the current IFA rules: https://sports.vice.com/article/the-issue-that-may-divide-mlb-and-the-union

 

It seems like an international draft can only be introduced in 2017 but the penalties can be increased for the next two signing periods. Is this correct?

 

With the Dodgers and a couple of other teams seemingly going all out in 2015 I think it would be wise to sit this year out. (as in just sign 5-6 400-750k guys). Then in 2016 when the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Angels all will be out and what quite possibly will also include the Phillies, Blue Jays, Twins, Royals and Rangers. That is almost free reign. IMO it would be worth it to hold on 1 more year.

[Johnny OHagan]

Thanks much, Johnny! I think they're going to try to spend this year, while the current rules still apply.

No problem mate. Here is the rest of the article.

 

BA 2015 Cubs International Signing Review

 

-- Edited by Tim

 

Please post a link to the article instead of the full text of the article.

[craig]

Thanks super much, Johnny. Excellent to get the reports.

 

If anything, I thought it was interesting that so many were hitters rather than pitchers. I thought if they were signing a dozen $200-type guys, it would be predominantly projectable arms. But it appears to have been more than half projectable position guys. Hopefully a couple of these guys develop well.

 

My understanding for the Mexican kids is that money given to their teams does not count against the cap? So perhaps one or more of these guys the investment was more substantial, and perhaps the potential?

[davell]

Johnny, thanks a ton and welcome! Love the approach and the fact that they did as much as they could in a year they had limitations.

 

I'm still waiting to see if we have already went "all in" this upcoming signing period. Obviously, there's a chance we are the team that signed 6 for 7.5 mill(Kiley mentioned it again today with no team attached). I prefer we sign a solid class this year and go all in next year when there's less competition on Maitin, Gutierrez, and/or whoever else.

 

As for Mexico, I think the way it works there is the player gets a 20/80 split. Or maybe 25/75. At any rate, I think Urias got around 400k while the Dodgers actual outlay was 2 mill or so. I think they packaged a few other guys into the deal too, but that was the gist. What I definitely remember though is that only the part going to the player counted against the IFA cap.

[Johnny OHagan]

Been very quite on this front for a while now. Expect a lot of information to come out in the coming weeks. Finally will see what the cubs strategy is this year.

[Hrubes20]

The Cubs' cap is $3,230,700: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2015-16-mlb-international-bonus-pools/

 

The Diamondbacks have the highest pool but due to penalties, can't sign anyone over $300,000. The Red Sox also have a pool $400k higher than the Cubs and can't go over. Nice trade partner if the Cubs don't want to go over.

 

Per Kiley's update today, the Cubs are already committed for $3.5 million on only two guys. Kiley also alluded to the fact that they have several guys they are going to bring in. Sounds like the FO didn't want to chance the international draft becoming a reality, and are taking what could be their last chance to spend freely in the IFA market.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-international-signing-market-part-1/

[Tryptamine]

I'm starting to think not going over may be the play so that they have 2016 nearly to themselves.

[davell]

Unless they're scared of a draft next year, I really wish we'd wait it out and be the big spenders next year on Maitin and that group. But by naming us on 2 guys at a combined 3.5 and saying "many targets" for us, it seems like we're the team committing 7.5 to 6 guys, as he's mentioned a team has done.

 

Going in with lots of money is obviously good, but I was hoping if we were going to go that route, it'd have been with getting more of what's considered the elite guys, as with Jimenez and Torres.

[Johnny OHagan]

Unless they're scared of a draft next year, I really wish we'd wait it out and be the big spenders next year on Maitin and that group. But by naming us on 2 guys at a combined 3.5 and saying "many targets" for us, it seems like we're the team committing 7.5 to 6 guys, as he's mentioned a team has done.

 

Going in with lots of money is obviously good, but I was hoping if we were going to go that route, it'd have been with getting more of what's considered the elite guys, as with Jimenez and Torres.

Just been confirmed that we are that team.

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-international-signing-market-part-2/

 

Yep. If we've gone this far, I'd love to keep piling on now and grab a few more. Can't really complain though, that's a solid amount of money thrown towards the future.

[Neuby]

Not landing any of the big name targets and having to sit out the 2016 free agency spending blows.

[CubsWin]

Not landing any of the big name targets and having to sit out the 2016 free agency spending blows.

This. Unless they have reason to believe a draft is coming in '16, but doesn't that have to wait until the next CBA or can Manfred do it at any point through the "in the best interest of baseball" clause?