International Watch: Huascar Ynoa

[Jeremy Nygaard]

That approach and mindset is sooooooo flawed and makes me so angry I can't even believe I'm a fan of this organization sometimes. Do the Twins realize that when they make a splash with one player he turned out to be one of the best minor league prospects they have ever had??? Seriously, they paid 3.15 million (way more than the measly 1 they won't go over) and have a previously ranked #2 in minor league baseball. Everyone is not Sano, but obviously the approach works when the player deserves it. Sure, spread the money around and buy more lottery tickets, but when the odds go up, go all in. Please...

 

Not really sure that's their "approach". I think they probably haven't evaluated anyone that's worth more than a million that isn't already committed to someone. Even Ynoa isn't guaranteed to get more than a million based on his inconsistencies.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

This was the Doogie tidbit that I referenced:

@DarrenWolfson: Spoke w/ #MNTwins VP M. Radcliff from Rochester. On July 2 Int'l FA: "Have a lot of guys we're in good shape on." Won't top $1M bonus. Rare.

[ScottyB]

I would propose a hybrid international draft, based on the Rule 4 draft. I would set up a 15 round draft using the draft order for Rule 4. I wouldn't use slot amounts, but amounts equal to the total similar to amounts for the Rule 4 draft.

 

The difference would be that up to 5 teams could draft an individual allowing the international free agents to negotiate a contract with one of the 5 teams who drafted him. Then it would be impossible for a team like the Yankees to bid on 11 of the top 30 prospects. I would also allow teams to trade these picks for major or minor league players.

 

I would consider allowing teams who didn't spend their entire allotment, to carry the unspent amount forward for up to three years. If unspent after 3 years, they would lose the money. (unlikely to happen as it would be the first amount spent the next year). It would allow you to follow a player when they were 14, trade up to acquire an earlier choice, and spend extra money to acquire them when they are of age.

 

Just another option to the one that mike presented earlier.

[twinsfan34]

Here's what some of the penalties are:

 

"There are penalties in place for teams exceeding their spending limits.

Teams that exceed the pools by 0 to 5 percent have to pay 100 percent tax, and teams that exceed the pools by 5 to 10 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the next signing period and also have to pay a 100-percent tax on the pool overage. Teams that exceed the pools by 10 to 15 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next signing period and have to pay a 100-percent tax on the pool overage.

 

In the most severe penalty, teams that exceed the pool by 15 percent or more are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods in addition to paying a 100-percent tax on the pool overage."

 

Last year the Cubs went Hog wild signing IFA's.

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-04/sports/ct-spt-0705-rogers-cubs-chicago-20130705_1_erling-moreno-gleyber-torres-jed-hoyer

 

According to that article, they spent about $8M (guessing not exempt, as contracts $50K or lower are exempt as I understand it).

 

So they're pretty much out of this year (2014) and next year having exceeded that 15% - unless they were able to trade for more pool money.

 

So...the Yankees could go hog wild this year...and just handcuff themselves for 2015 and 2016. Sorta, they can still sign players for up to $300K bonus. So the strategy, sorta go heavy one year, then just miss out the following 2 years. Thus it's strategy in a way...not cheating. Just have to believe the scouts in saying the following 2 years aren't as worthwhile. Or can find a few guys for under $300K (max per signee) and not go over their pool.

 

Be nice if the Twins could go for one or two of those top prospects...and well, just play out their allotted bonus pool. Play all the lottery tickets they can so to speak.

 

 

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/2014-top-30-international-prospects-list?ymd=20140620&content_id=80379210