International Free Agency Thread 2017-2018

[CaliforniaRaisin]

There's an extremely noticeable strategy they employed this year.....Out of the 10 Pitchers they signed, 7 of them are 17 years old. Only 2 are 16.(an 18 year old rounds it out)

 

With these kids being signed at 16, the ones that aren't signed, are kind of glossed over after that. The thing is though, its dumb. A year later, you actually know more about these kids anyway. Now, we were restricted monetarily and this certainly played into things somewhat. But, its very intriguing to know we were scouring the "also-rans". Because these kids could easily have big velo jumps, grown a few inches, or whatever, to make themselves much better prospects than they had been a year earlier. And the teams that had money to spend had committed it a year or two earlier. My honest guess is we'll hear something early on about one or two of this group being a potential steal. Love this strategy.

 

We got 5 16 year old position players, 7 17 year olds, 2 18 year olds, and the 20 year old. Same theory obviously. But, I'm more intrigued by the pitchers personally.

 

And if the Cuban C is good enough to warrant a NRI, that's extremely impressive in his own right too.

 

Serrano and Verdugo being signed, while being top 30 type guys, while we were in the penalty box made this class super interesting by themselves. But, this approach is great and I'll bet it shows some very some results.

 

The ages listed by Arizona Phil are as of his post, not their signing age. I'm not sure how many this affects, but I do know Luis Verdugo was 16 when he signed (signed 7/2/17, DOB 10/12/00). Florencio Serrano, their other big IFA, was 17 when he signed.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]The Cubs have signed 20-year old Cuban catcher Alexander Guerra (link is external) to a minor league contract. He will report to Minor League Camp in Mesa in 2018, and he possibly could receive an NRI to Spring Training (TBD).

 

Guerra played for Granma in Serie Nacional (the Cuban major league) in 2015 and 2016 before defecting, hitting 267/375/465 with six HR in 33 games (123 PA) for los Alamandas in 2016.

 

The link also lists all 25 IFAs the Cubs have signed this year.

 

Guerra got the maximum $300k the Cubs could offer. Hits for power, above average defensively. Tried unsuccessfully to defect in 2015.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257221358/los-cachorros-firman-al-receptor-cubano-alexander-guerra/

 

(Link is in Spanish)

[CubsWin]

The Orioles just traded away $500,000 of 2017-18 IFA pool money to the Rockies for Konner Wade. Who?

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=592831#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL

 

This guy is nothing special. A 25-year-old pitcher with not good numbers who has never pitched above AA. I guess Baltimore truly had no plans to sign anyone else before July 2nd because they seemingly just gave that pool allotment away.

 

Certainly team's will value their 2018-19 pool money more highly than this period's since most of their signings are already done so we can't see this as an accurate gauge for the value of IFA money going forward. But I sure would like to see the Cubs acquire some once July 2nd rolls around.

 

With their ability to sign guys capped at $300,000 this period, I doubt it makes much sense to acquire 2017-18 pool money unless there's one of the Braves guys they like who will sign for $500,000.

 

MLB said the first $200,000 of contracts for the newly released Braves prospects won't count against the pool allotment. I assume that means the Cubs could sign one of those guys for up to $500,000 using this year's IFA money. Is that right?

[davell]

I saw another report that says its just 100,000 that's capped. Not sure which is correct honestly.

[CubsWin]

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Just FYI, INF Fabian Pertuz signed for the max $300,000 and was the only other invite to instructs, per AZ Phil, alongside Mexican SS (and 30th ranked IFA prospect by MLB) Luis Verdugo.

[weis21]

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Just FYI, INF Fabian Pertuz signed for the max $300,000 and was the only other invite to instructs, per AZ Phil, alongside Mexican SS (and 30th ranked IFA prospect by MLB) Luis Verdugo.

kid is going to be a stud. sure-fire boom imo since his mom already took care of the bust part

 

:hello:

 

*ducks*

[davell]

 

Damn, that sucks. Not a lot of money at all. And he's a guy that is at the upper end of what's out there. Maitan may not cost that much, after all. But, the Yanks and Twins, maybe Rangers too, have loads of current money to spend.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Damn, that sucks. Not a lot of money at all. And he's a guy that is at the upper end of what's out there. Maitan may not cost that much, after all. But, the Yanks and Twins, maybe Rangers too, have loads of current money to spend.

 

He was the prospect I was most interested in since he had the most glowing reports since turning pro.

[davell]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The Royals used 2018-19 pool money to sign him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kevin Maitan signs with the Angels.

[davell]

Well, that sucks. Severino has been connected to the Yanks too. The pickings are getting slim. I'd take Contreras, just because he's a live arm, at this point.

[davell]

[Cubswin11]

That has to be his years money, since they would be a penalty team starting next year? Maybe an indication they are either out in Ohtani or again further confirmation he doesn’t give a horsefeathers about the signing bonus.

[davell]

That has to be his years money, since they would be a penalty team starting next year? Maybe an indication they are either out in Ohtani or again further confirmation he doesn’t give a horsefeathers about the signing bonus.

 

No, that's next years money. The Angels have 1.2 or so left for this year. They're not in the penalty.

[davell]

Soto is going to the Angels for 800k, Gutierrez goes to the Phillies for 550k.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Damn. Severino and Bae are the only ones I care about now.

 

Really was hoping for Rosario or Maitan to beef up the farm by the trade deadline.

[Regular Show]

So K. Maitan got more than I was expecting. I was down on him after reading the latest scouting reports, but apparently some MLB teams still really like him. I wanted the Cubs to sign him, but not at that price. Not too many other former Braves' prospects I care about at this point.

[davell]

Damn. Severino and Bae are the only ones I care about now.

 

Really was hoping for Rosario or Maitan to beef up the farm by the trade deadline.

 

Same here. I am hoping beyond hope we get the 15 year old, 96MPH guy at this point.

 

Severino and the Cuban OFer(Martinez) seem likely to wind up with the Yankees. They were mentioned today with them.

 

I'd take a flyer on Contreras. But using 17-18 money.

 

I'd like Bae. But, I'm not positive he's in the same position as the rest of these guys. His contract was voided. He may not be a guy we can give the extra 200k to. Not sure if we can use 18-19 money on him yet.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Damn. Severino and Bae are the only ones I care about now.

 

Really was hoping for Rosario or Maitan to beef up the farm by the trade deadline.

 

Same here. I am hoping beyond hope we get the 15 year old, 96MPH guy at this point.

 

Severino and the Cuban OFer(Martinez) seem likely to wind up with the Yankees. They were mentioned today with them.

 

I'd take a flyer on Contreras. But using 17-18 money.

 

I'd like Bae. But, I'm not positive he's in the same position as the rest of these guys. His contract was voided. He may not be a guy we can give the extra 200k to. Not sure if we can use 18-19 money on him yet.

 

That's disappointing on Severino and Martinez. The Yankees also were linked to two top 20 prospects from the 2017-18 class they had slow played in case they needed funds for Ohtani.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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Doesn't look like he'll make it to 7/2/2018.

[davell]

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Doesn't look like he'll make it to 7/2/2018.

 

I'm confused. Why? Is there some info on this guy I'm not seeing?

 

Or are you thinking of Julio Pablo Martinez, who I agree isn't likely to make it that long?

[CubsWin]

Damn. Severino and Bae are the only ones I care about now.

 

Really was hoping for Rosario or Maitan to beef up the farm by the trade deadline.

 

Same here. I am hoping beyond hope we get the 15 year old, 96MPH guy at this point.

 

Severino and the Cuban OFer(Martinez) seem likely to wind up with the Yankees. They were mentioned today with them.

 

I'd take a flyer on Contreras. But using 17-18 money.

 

I'd like Bae. But, I'm not positive he's in the same position as the rest of these guys. His contract was voided. He may not be a guy we can give the extra 200k to. Not sure if we can use 18-19 money on him yet.

 

That's disappointing on Severino and Martinez. The Yankees also were linked to two top 20 prospects from the 2017-18 class they had slow played in case they needed funds for Ohtani.

Do you know who those two are? According to MLB.com, SS Ronny Rojas (11th overall) is the only IFA prospect listed with the Yankees being the favorite. (Not doubting your recollection just wondering who it is.)

 

Of the 6 remaining unsigned top 30 IFAs, only one is reported to be linked to another team. SS Jelfry Marte (3rd overall - released by the Twins because of vision problems) OF Raimfer Salinas (6th overall), C Antonio Cabello (8th overall), SS Osleivis Basabe (24th overall), OF Wildred Patino (25th overall) and Stir Candelario (29th overall linked to the Mariners) are all listed as unsigned by MLB.com.

 

Obviously, unless some of them choose to wait until the next signing period, the Cubs are out on these guys. And with teams like the Mariners and Angels trading for 2017-18 IFA money (and other teams with money still left to spend), one or both of them (if they don't get Ohtani) will have funds to potentially sign some of them.

 

EDIT - I guess the Cubs could be in on Marte. I think he was declared a free agent. It all depends on the severity of his vision issues.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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Doesn't look like he'll make it to 7/2/2018.

 

I'm confused. Why? Is there some info on this guy I'm not seeing?

 

Or are you thinking of Julio Pablo Martinez, who I agree isn't likely to make it that long?

 

Oh whoops. I confused two 21-year old outfielders with a last name of Martinez.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Same here. I am hoping beyond hope we get the 15 year old, 96MPH guy at this point.

 

Severino and the Cuban OFer(Martinez) seem likely to wind up with the Yankees. They were mentioned today with them.

 

I'd take a flyer on Contreras. But using 17-18 money.

 

I'd like Bae. But, I'm not positive he's in the same position as the rest of these guys. His contract was voided. He may not be a guy we can give the extra 200k to. Not sure if we can use 18-19 money on him yet.

 

That's disappointing on Severino and Martinez. The Yankees also were linked to two top 20 prospects from the 2017-18 class they had slow played in case they needed funds for Ohtani.

Do you know who those two are? According to MLB.com, SS Ronny Rojas (11th overall) is the only IFA prospect listed with the Yankees being the favorite. (Not doubting your recollection just wondering who it is.)

 

Of the 6 remaining unsigned top 30 IFAs, only one is reported to be linked to another team. SS Jelfry Marte (3rd overall - released by the Twins because of vision problems) OF Raimfer Salinas (6th overall), C Antonio Cabello (8th overall), SS Osleivis Basabe (24th overall), OF Wildred Patino (25th overall) and Stir Candelario (29th overall linked to the Mariners) are all listed as unsigned by MLB.com.

 

Obviously, unless some of them choose to wait until the next signing period, the Cubs are out on these guys. And with teams like the Mariners and Angels trading for 2017-18 IFA money (and other teams with money still left to spend), one or both of them (if they don't get Ohtani) will have funds to potentially sign some of them.

 

EDIT - I guess the Cubs could be in on Marte. I think he was declared a free agent. It all depends on the severity of his vision issues.

 

They've been linked to Salinas and Cabello, though they were considered wild cards even at the start of the signing period. Actually, they're also linked to Basabe but BA has him ranked 48.