International Thread 2015-2016

[davell]

9 teams pursuing Lazarito, considering teams in both signing periods. May make decision by 2/10, according to Sanchez.

[David]

9 teams pursuing Lazarito, considering teams in both signing periods. May make decision by 2/10, according to Sanchez.

 

Apparently, Bowden said the Cubs were one of the 9 teams (not that it's surprising)

[craig]

9 teams pursuing Lazarito, considering teams in both signing periods. May make decision by 2/10, according to Sanchez.

 

Apparently, Bowden said the Cubs were one of the 9 teams (not that it's surprising)

 

I'd say that's extremely surprising, if it's actually true, particularly if Bowden's bit about perhaps as much as $30M has any merit. That would be very surprising to me if the Cubs are in discussion on a guy that would be even remotely close to $60M with tax.

 

The good point is that if there is anything to it, that confirms the Cubs have some $$ left. I know some of you have been confident that was true, but I've been less certain. So, even assuming we don't get Lazarito, hopefully they'll find somebody else who's worth spending some money on.

[David]

I don't think it's at all surprising that the Cubs are one of nine teams interested in a major ifa. Almost 1/3 of the league is. Doesn't mean they have one of the highest offers.

[davell]

Brothers Yulieski Gurriel & Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reportedly defected and will be seeking MLB deals. Check https://t.co/mkcBseoZWQ for story.

 

Jesse Sanchez

 

Damn, if true, that's big. And we definitely won't have a shot at the younger one, who's the best young talent left there. The older one is 33 and a very good player. I had him confused with the 31 year old, Yunieski, who is the best player in Cuba and the middle brother. Who evidently didn't defect.

 

Edit- the middle brother DID defect, not the older one.

Edited February 8, 2016 by davell

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Brothers Yulieski Gurriel & Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reportedly defected and will be seeking MLB deals. Check https://t.co/mkcBseoZWQ for story.

 

Jesse Sanchez

 

Damn, if true, that's big. And we definitely won't have a shot at the younger one, who's the best young talent left there. The older one is 33 and a very good player. I had him confused with the 31 year old, Yunieski, who is the best player in Cuba and the middle brother. Who evidently didn't defect.

 

Lourdes does turn 23 in October. Not sure if he'd be willing to wait that long but that would get every team in baseball eligible.

[davell]

Brothers Yulieski Gurriel & Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reportedly defected and will be seeking MLB deals. Check https://t.co/mkcBseoZWQ for story.

 

Jesse Sanchez

 

Damn, if true, that's big. And we definitely won't have a shot at the younger one, who's the best young talent left there. The older one is 33 and a very good player. I had him confused with the 31 year old, Yunieski, who is the best player in Cuba and the middle brother. Who evidently didn't defect.

 

Lourdes does turn 23 in October. Not sure if he'd be willing to wait that long but that would get every team in baseball eligible.

 

Honestly, if you think about it, I bet he's just becoming eligible anyway by then. Plus, it'd make sense for him to wait anyway, since he'd pocket the penalty money and he'd get a major league deal.

[Tim]

Hot damn...I'd really love to sign the elder Gurriel. He has one of the best bats in the world. I know it's Cuba, but he's batting .535/.604/1.012 this year in 23 games, so it isn't as if his skills have shown any signs of diminishing yet. I have no idea how we'd get him in the lineup, but I don't really care. He'd make the team better.

 

I'd also like to sign the younger Gurriel, just because I want all the Cubans.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wish Moncada had been willing to wait.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Johnny OHagan]

So we find out about Lazarito tomorrow. Not expecting much.

[davell]

So we find out about Lazarito tomorrow. Not expecting much.

 

I'll go with Philly or SD in a big overpay to hold him off til next signing period, maybe 25 mill.....I'll be surprised if it's us, although if we DID decide to ante up that kind of cash for him, I'd become irrationally excited, as I'd trust our group in doling out that kind of cash for a 16 year old.....

[Cubswin11]

I'd be really surprised if we end up with him if he comes in around the rumored prices we've heard. If the market never materialized on the big contract that was rumored then maybe I could see us.

[Tim]

So we find out about Lazarito tomorrow. Not expecting much.

Actually, if we're finding out tomorrow, I'm going to be hopeful. There wouldn't be anything "definite" if he is holding out until the next signing period.

[davell]

So we find out about Lazarito tomorrow. Not expecting much.

Actually, if we're finding out tomorrow, I'm going to be hopeful. There wouldn't be anything "definite" if he is holding out until the next signing period.

 

True, my guess is if it's not us, the Dodgers, or I guess San Fran, that we won't hear an announcement. If it IS us, I'll just hope we've still got some money left over for pitching.....Although Gutierrez is still the only one actually available and we're just getting closer and closer to the next period. It sucks they've taken their sweet ass time in giving these guys their eligibility. Even if it's probably the fairest thing to do(so we don't just watch the Dodgers spend comically.)

[davell]

Rian Watt ‏@rianwatt 4m4 minutes ago

 

On the basis of conversations with folks who'd know (and common sense) I very much doubt the Cubs are in on Lazarito at reported prices.

 

https://theathletic.com/2016/02/09/cubs-notes-cuban-prospects-intriguing-options-for-north-siders/

 

Info from Sharma, sounds like the Cubans we have the most interest in are OF Yadiel Hernandez, P Norge Ruiz, and P Cionel Perez.

[Tim]

Hot damn...I'd really love to sign the elder Gurriel. He has one of the best bats in the world. I know it's Cuba, but he's batting .535/.604/1.012 this year in 23 games, so it isn't as if his skills have shown any signs of diminishing yet. I have no idea how we'd get him in the lineup, but I don't really care. He'd make the team better.

 

I'd also like to sign the younger Gurriel, just because I want all the Cubans.

The final stats on Gurriel for this season in Cuba:

 

he’s hit .494/.586/.861 with just two(!) strikeouts in 215 plate appearances this season with 37 walks and 14 home runs

 

Thats...insane.

[davell]

He supposedly can play 2B, even if he's playing 3B currently. If he's willing and able, my honest guess is Zobrist wouldn't have an issue moving to RF in 2017. I doubt Gurriel plays in 2016 anywhere.

[Tim]

He supposedly can play 2B, even if he's playing 3B currently. If he's willing and able, my honest guess is Zobrist wouldn't have an issue moving to RF in 2017. I doubt Gurriel plays in 2016 anywhere.

My solution:

 

1) get Schwarbs ready to catch in 2017

2) get Bryant ready to play LF in 2017

3) sign Gurriel and put him at 3B

 

Or, if Soler flops, just put Bryant in RF.

 

Naturally, everyone can move around in Maddon's daily position blender.

[davell]

He supposedly can play 2B, even if he's playing 3B currently. If he's willing and able, my honest guess is Zobrist wouldn't have an issue moving to RF in 2017. I doubt Gurriel plays in 2016 anywhere.

My solution:

 

1) get Schwarbs ready to catch in 2017

2) get Bryant ready to play LF in 2017

3) sign Gurriel and put him at 3B

 

Or, if Soler flops, just put Bryant in RF.

 

Naturally, everyone can move around in Maddon's daily position blender.

 

Ah yeah, that'd work. I doubt Schwarber ever catches for us though. But the KB thing works for sure. Either way, our versatility is horsefeathering awesome. We can find a spot for him. As a 32 year old for next season, obviously showing no signs of decline, I wonder what it'd take to get him?

[davell]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/gurriel-brothers-might-play-2017/

 

Hadn't been posted yet, but here's Badler's piece on the Gurriels, basically saying he expects Lourdes to sign between his birthday in October and early December, when the CBA ends.....

[Transmogrified Tiger]

got dangit, Kris Bryant was the best 3B in the NL by like a win and a half, stop trying to make him an outfielder

[davell]

got dangit, Kris Bryant was the best 3B in the NL by like a win and a half, stop trying to make him an outfielder

 

But I want a guy that hits .500 and strikes out once a month.

[David]

are there any davenport translations available on those numbers?

[Tim]

got dangit, Kris Bryant was the best 3B in the NL by like a win and a half, stop trying to make him an outfielder

Fine. Make Zobrist a LF, sacrifice IF defense and put Gurriel at 2B. I want the guy with the 19/1 BB/K ratio. With power.

[Tim]

are there any davenport translations available on those numbers?

uh, crazy awesome.