2015-16 International Free Agency Thread

[sontensei]

sweet thanks for the explanation. so if they get a 20 yr old where do you think he starts low a?

[CubsWin]

sweet thanks for the explanation. so if they get a 20 yr old where do you think he starts low a?

He'll likely start at Mesa in the AZL. But that won't be a reflection of his level, it'll be just to get his feet wet and for the Cubs to get a better look at him and sharpen their evaluation. If they see something he really needs to work on, he may stay for more than just the token 2-3 games, but chances are after that evaluation period, he'll be moved directly to Eugene. He's likely too advanced for that level, but both Bryant and Schwarber spent time there. If he dominates there like they did, he'd probably finish his season in South Bend. And Eloy Jimenez, depending on how he's doing in Eugene, would come up with him. That'd be a heck of an OF in Eugene and South Bend.

 

In 2016, EJM (if signed of course, please, please, please :beg: ), assuming he does well, would split time between Myrtle Beach (High-A) and Tennessee (AA). Jimenez's path would be slower unless he completely blows up. He'd spend almost all of 2016 in South Bend with a late call-up to Myrtle Beach to give him a taste of High-A to help prepare him for next season. The Cubs have followed a pretty specific pattern with their prospects in this regard.

[Guest]

sweet thanks for the explanation. so if they get a 20 yr old where do you think he starts low a?

He'll likely start at Mesa in the AZL. But that won't be a reflection of his level, it'll be just to get his feet wet and for the Cubs to get a better look at him and sharpen their evaluation. If they see something he really needs to work on, he may stay for more than just the token 2-3 games, but chances are after that evaluation period, he'll be moved directly to Eugene. He's likely too advanced for that level, but both Bryant and Schwarber spent time there. If he dominates there like they did, he'd probably finish his season in South Bend. And Eloy Jimenez, depending on how he's doing in Eugene, would come up with him. That'd be a heck of an OF in Eugene and South Bend.

 

In 2016, EJM (if signed of course, please, please, please :beg: ), assuming he does well, would split time between Myrtle Beach (High-A) and Tennessee (AA). Jimenez's path would be slower unless he completely blows up. He'd spend almost all of 2016 in South Bend with a late call-up to Myrtle Beach to give him a taste of High-A to help prepare him for next season. The Cubs have followed a pretty specific pattern with their prospects in this regard.

 

He could easily skip SS. Jorge Soler signed earlier in the year but had a longer layoff - in his age 20 season, his first in the US, he played 14 games in the AZL and then 20 in the MWL. Cubans are definitely different than other prospects of a similar age given their unique situation - high level international competition, some experience in "professional" leagues, and possibly extended time off when they defect.

[CubsWin]

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.

Well, then I hope they are able to land Martinez.

 

I know they've been connected to a lot of the guys from 10-20 on the list this year, but I wasn't aware connected meant committed. Thanks, davell.

[CubsWin]

sweet thanks for the explanation. so if they get a 20 yr old where do you think he starts low a?

He'll likely start at Mesa in the AZL. But that won't be a reflection of his level, it'll be just to get his feet wet and for the Cubs to get a better look at him and sharpen their evaluation. If they see something he really needs to work on, he may stay for more than just the token 2-3 games, but chances are after that evaluation period, he'll be moved directly to Eugene. He's likely too advanced for that level, but both Bryant and Schwarber spent time there. If he dominates there like they did, he'd probably finish his season in South Bend. And Eloy Jimenez, depending on how he's doing in Eugene, would come up with him. That'd be a heck of an OF in Eugene and South Bend.

 

In 2016, EJM (if signed of course, please, please, please :beg: ), assuming he does well, would split time between Myrtle Beach (High-A) and Tennessee (AA). Jimenez's path would be slower unless he completely blows up. He'd spend almost all of 2016 in South Bend with a late call-up to Myrtle Beach to give him a taste of High-A to help prepare him for next season. The Cubs have followed a pretty specific pattern with their prospects in this regard.

 

He could easily skip SS. Jorge Soler signed earlier in the year but had a longer layoff - in his age 20 season, his first in the US, he played 14 games in the AZL and then 20 in the MWL. Cubans are definitely different than other prospects of a similar age given their unique situation - high level international competition, some experience in "professional" leagues, and possibly extended time off when they defect.

Yeah, he definitely could. I forgot about Soler. He's been the exception, though. But as Cuban and his similarities as a player to Soler, he easily could follow that path.

[davell]

Can anyone give the highlights of Badler's new Cuban piece? Evidently goes into depth on this one, saying what range they'd go in the draft, if they were in it.....

[Guest]

Can anyone give the highlights of Badler's new Cuban piece? Evidently goes into depth on this one, saying what range they'd go in the draft, if they were in it.....

 

Remembered you asking this so I'm stealing Brett's synopsis

 

http://www.bleachernation.com/2015/06/11/lukewarm-stove-mets-and-brewers-talk-trade-scouts-on-lake-cubs-on-relievers-more/

 

The quality of Cuban prospects that are likely to be eligible to sign in the 2015-16 IFA period – the one in which the Cubs will reportedly blow their budget – is absolutely shocking. Just read this from Ben Badler and see how many first-and-second-round-caliber talents there are. It’s incredible. Folks were annoyed that the Cubs blew their 2013 budget, making them unable to sign Yoan Moncada? Pfft. Not only was that the worst kind of hindsighting, it also now looks like it’s flat wrong. This is the class to be in, and the Cubs could get some serious talent if they’re willing to spend. Once the calendar flips to July 2 and this next period opens up, things could get nuts.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Which teams will be restricted from spending beginning on July 2?

[Thrilho]

Remembered you asking this so I'm stealing Brett's synopsis

 

The article is behind a paywall. Any BA subscribers around that want to get into some some copyright infringement? Mostly, I just want to know who he's saying would be a first rounder and where. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[Guest]

we know the article is behind a paywall, which is why i didn't have any snippets to post and why davell was asking for them

[Thrilho]

we know the article is behind a paywall, which is why i didn't have any snippets to post and why davell was asking for them

 

Yeah, thought I'd ask again since that BN article says nothing.

[Guest]

Ben registered here a while back and asked very nicely that I make sure people aren't posting his content without permission. I aim to keep the promise I made to him.

[davell]

Remembered you asking this so I'm stealing Brett's synopsis

 

The article is behind a paywall. Any BA subscribers around that want to get into some some copyright infringement? Mostly, I just want to know who he's saying would be a first rounder and where. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

Yeah, this is all I'm kind of looking for too. There's nothing wrong with giving out that info, is there?

[Guest]

Here are the ones that got a first round grade.

 

Norge Ruiz, rhp

Vladimir Gutierrez, rhp

Randy Arozarena, of/inf

Yadier Alvarez, rhp

 

Andy Ibanez, 2b (~1S - 2nd)

 

That's it. I like Brett, but he's very excitable.

[Guest]

Here are the ones that got a first round grade.

 

Norge Ruiz, rhp

Vladimir Gutierrez, rhp

Randy Arozarena, of/inf

Yadier Alvarez, rhp

 

Andy Ibanez, 2b (~1S - 2nd)

 

That's it. I like Brett, but he's very excitable.

 

No Eddy Julio Martinez?

[davell]

Thanks Tim. That's kind of what I suspected(with Sierra included probably). But with the nice group of IFA's we've supposedly signed already-add one of those pitchers to it?(not Alvarez since he appears to be a Dodger) and grab Fox.....It turns into one hell of a class we've brought in.

 

Edit-Damn, forgot about Martinez. Especially since he's supposedly the top guy period.

[Guest]

Here's what he says about EJM:

 

Martinez, 20, isn’t a premium player, but he is a solid prospect. He has a compact build at around 6 feet, 195 pounds, but he moves well for his size, with scouts giving him average to above-average speed underway, although his build and running gait suggest that might go backwards. He has a good arm but is not a burner, and scouts have been mixed on his defensive instincts in center field, with some believing he could be playable there, with others thinking he might be a player who rotates between all three outfield spots. He has a quick righthanded bat and displayed solid bat control in Cuba, though he never showed much power there and is more of a doubles hitter than a home run threat.

 

Teams have now seen Martinez at an open showcase, and a lot of clubs are mixed internally on him. He’s been seen, but he needs to be seen more, and he’s the only player on this list who I haven’t seen myself. For now, I would have to put an “incomplete” grade on him, so I don’t want to put a number yet on where he would fit into the BA 500 if he were in the draft. But right now I would take all the players listed above Martinez here over him.

btw - there's several names between the ones I listed and EJM.

[sontensei]

If the cubs throw alot of money at IFA and get some of the best 4-5 guys minor league threads will be fun for a while :D

[davell]

Here's what he says about EJM:

 

Martinez, 20, isn’t a premium player, but he is a solid prospect. He has a compact build at around 6 feet, 195 pounds, but he moves well for his size, with scouts giving him average to above-average speed underway, although his build and running gait suggest that might go backwards. He has a good arm but is not a burner, and scouts have been mixed on his defensive instincts in center field, with some believing he could be playable there, with others thinking he might be a player who rotates between all three outfield spots. He has a quick righthanded bat and displayed solid bat control in Cuba, though he never showed much power there and is more of a doubles hitter than a home run threat.

 

Teams have now seen Martinez at an open showcase, and a lot of clubs are mixed internally on him. He’s been seen, but he needs to be seen more, and he’s the only player on this list who I haven’t seen myself. For now, I would have to put an “incomplete” grade on him, so I don’t want to put a number yet on where he would fit into the BA 500 if he were in the draft. But right now I would take all the players listed above Martinez here over him.

btw - there's several names between the ones I listed and EJM.

 

Yasiel Sierra perhaps? Other pitching?

 

So was Sanchez being used as a hype mouthpiece? That's about all I can take from those comments on Martinez....

[sontensei]

are any of the IFA guys advanced enough to get right into High A or AA?

[Guest]

are any of the IFA guys advanced enough to get right into High A or AA?

I highly recommend the cash for a Baseball America subscription.

[davell]

Kiley has another IFA update coming later this week and indicated Cubs fans would be pleased.

[profisme]

Kiley has another IFA update coming later this week and indicated Cubs fans would be pleased.

 

God I hope that means Eddy, Lucious, and Norge. That would mean we win.

[ctcf]

I would really like the Cubs to sign the character from Batman, plz.

[Guest]

Kiley has another IFA update coming later this week and indicated Cubs fans would be pleased.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx?draft=2015int&type=0&pos=all&sort=0,d

 

He has the Cubs signing the following players, with a projected bonus:

 

18. Aramis Ademan, SS, Dominican Republic - $2,000,000

23. Christopher Martinez, 3B, Dominican Republic - $1,500,000

21. Yonathan Perlaza, SS, Venezuela - $1,200,000

31. Jonathan Sierra, RF, Dominican Republic - $1,200,000

35. Miguel Amaya, C, Panama - $1,200,000

39. Anderson Amarista, RHP, Venezuela - $1,200,000

41. Yunior Perez, RHP, Dominican Republic - $650,000

NR Luis Diaz, SS, Dominican Republic - $350,000

 

He has the Dodgers signing Lucius Fox for $5.5 million (!) and doesn't have a team yet for Cuban defector CF Eddy Martinez. It's funny to see how much difference there is between the rankings of Badler, McDaniel and Jesse Sanchez.