International Talk: Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

[diehardtwinsfan]

We mentioned him in the international signings thread. Since he doesn't count against the pool and would fit right into the next wave at a position of need, the Twins should go hard after him. Hard throwing pitcher.

 

Here's an article on him.

[kab21]

That's a better way to spend money than better retreads.

[Pitz]

Teams interested in Gonzalez:

Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins, Cubs, Rangers

One of these teams is not like the others, One of these teams just doesn't belong.

 

I would be SHOCKED if the Twins were the highest bidder among those clubs.

 

Also saw that he had bone spurs removed from his elbow while he was suspended, but is believed to be fully healthy. (Dodgers eyeing Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez)

 

It would be nice to see the Twins continue to add (upside) arms, but I don't see this one happening.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't see Terry Ryan's FO being aggressive and outbidding other teams for free agents, whether they be international, MLB, or minor league in nature. I hope to be proven wrong some day.

[TD Mac]

I don't see Terry Ryan's FO being aggressive and outbidding other teams for free agents, whether they be international, MLB, or minor league in nature. I hope to be proven wrong some day.

 

Sano?!?

[kab21]

Sano?!?

 

And that happened in a year when MLB payroll dropped from the previous season.

[Mike Sixel]

Sano?!?

 

 

Terry Ryan was not GM.....nor was he when they signed jack morris to a big deal. I don't think it is in Ryan's philosophy to spend big. He could be right, he could be wrong.....

[nicksaviking]

Sano?!?

 

That was Bill Smith.

 

I want him but that's assuming he's a hard thrower. Every article I've read states his fastball is in the 90's. That's pretty vague. 92 MPH likely does not warrent the same offer that 96 MPH does. I guess we'll have to wait until his workout though it seems strange we can't find a little better scouting reports considering he has pitched in international competitions since 2009.

[diehardtwinsfan]

You can never have enough pitching... Agree if he's a 92 MPH guy, but I thought that article implied front of the rotation stuff. If that's true, given his age and development, he fits very nice into the next wave, and given the cuts in payroll, this is the type of high spending that makes a ton more sense. They compete in the international FA market every year and sign guys, so I don't see why they couldn't get him if they wanted him.

[cmathewson]

Terry Ryan was not GM.....nor was he when they signed jack morris to a big deal. I don't think it is in Ryan's philosophy to spend big. He could be right, he could be wrong.....

 

 

Amaurys Minier says "hi."

 

http://twinsdaily.com/twins-minor-league-talk/2009-twins-2012-international-signings.html

[Mike Sixel]

That was spending inside the new system, which sets what a team can spend. Not really true free agency. This guy is a true free agent, with no slots/limits applying.

[CwK]

I'm skeptical as well but, if his advisors have any brains, they'll look hard at the Twins' starting rotation and his competition.

"You're better than him... him... him... Hey, maybe this might be a good idea"

But, then again, maybe they are a little short sighted and want the biggest bonus. Never happens, right?

[bird]

The Twins have been quoted as saying they are impressed with this year's international crop, and they have one of the largest war chests. So let's not overreact if this Gonzales guy signs elsewhere. The Twins have done rather well by us in the international arena. For example, last year they signed the #7 and #22 ranked guys (Minier and Silva).

 

Oh, and those who think the GM has a huge impact on all of this can't offer us a shred of real evidence to support this notion. It's a big department, with a big budget, and the GM doesn't dictate every decision, including who to sign. Some people want to believe that Sano would not have been signed if Ryan had been the GM. I call bull.

[Mike Sixel]

I agree, CK, that there is great opportunity in MN. And the twins have shown a willingness to re-sign their own to good money. But it is probably hard to pass on the more immediate payout.

[B Richard]

Most these kids come from relative poverty. For a lot of them, baseball is more than a game- it's a way to offer their families a better life. It's all about the money, and quite honestly, that doesn't bother me at all. Good for them.

 

I would be absolutely stunned if the Twins topped Chicago, Boston, LA and Texas to get this guy as a FA. I'm OK with that, given the large sum we have to spend on the international signing period.

[diehardtwinsfan]

To reiteratre, he's a Cuban defector. Signing him does not count against the international pool.

 

Given his age/level, he fits in very nicely to what the Twins have coming up. This is a guy they should be aggressive with, especially given that they could likely have him for less than what they reduced payroll by this season.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Gonzalez has been declared a free agent. I believe I read this morning one exec saying that buying Key West and offering it to Gonzalez still wouldn't be enough.

[Monkeypaws]

Ya never know; I was reading the Pioneer Press article on Arcia, and the reason he signed with us was because our scout Juan Padilla befriended him as a young guy.

 

The Twins are doing a better and better job in Latin America it seems to me.

 

Lets send Tony O to talk to him

[diehardtwinsfan]

30 million is right about what the largest contracts given to Cubans has been... So how does this guy relate in comparison to a Jose Contreras?

[diehardtwinsfan]

And if this is true... I think the Twins are out. I'd give it to him; it would certainly justify the lower budgets over the next few seasons, but no way TR and company does.

 

Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could sign for $60 million - Over the Monster

[Monkeypaws]

And if this is true... I think the Twins are out. I'd give it to him; it would certainly justify the lower budgets over the next few seasons, but no way TR and company does.

 

Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could sign for $60 million - Over the Monster

 

Out, and rightly so - that is mad money!

[gunnarthor]

I don't know anything about this guy so I'm assuming he's a legit potential front line starter who can pitch in the majors next year. With that said, I'm actually going to agree with Mike Wants Wins and say the Twins should try to get him. Unlike Sanchez, for instance, he'd be in his prime seasons at the same time Sano et al are ready to contribute. 4 or 5 years and 60m is doable. A potential rotation with him, Meyer, May, Worley, Gibson would go nicely with our future lineups.

[nicksaviking]

Out, and rightly so - that is mad money!

 

Right but that's just your pride talking. The Twins won't be handcuffed by overpaying and missing on a guy at this point. This team will not be anywhere near payroll limitations for a long time.

 

 

Is it 4 years at $15? 5 years at $12 million? 6 years at $10? The first two options pay the highest per year but the risk is minimized by the years. For four or even five years the Twins will have no payroll concerns. That is not too much of a risk, particularly considering very few usable free agent pitchers come available any longer and they go for much more than this. Besides, I am so tired of the Twins nickle and diming the free agent market. I'd rather take a shot at a front line starter at $12 million per season than play it safe with three or four replacement level vets like this team always does.

 

This front office needs to seriously start asking themselves why they'd rather sign a replacement level group of players like Correia, Pelfrey and Carroll as opposed to one pitcher for the same amount. Here we are sitting in June and all three of those guys could already be replaced by league minimum salaried players in AAA. This free agency tactic is much more monetarily wasteful but the Twins front office is blind to this fact.

[drjim]

My guess is it exceeds $60 mil. By a lot.

[Monkeypaws]

Not pride - common sense.

 

Being a stud outside the major leagues is awesome, but not a secure investment at that level. There's a Dice K for every Yu Darvish, a Nishi for every Ichiro.

 

I prefer the approach they've taken in Latin America - get them young, and throw maybe 3 million at a Sano.

 

It's all moot, because the Twins would likely not win this bidding war anyways.

[nicksaviking]

Not pride - common sense.

 

Being a stud outside the major leagues is awesome, but not a secure investment at that level. There's a Dice K for every Yu Darvish, a Nishi for every Ichiro.

 

I prefer the approach they've taken in Latin America - get them young, and throw maybe 3 million at a Sano.

 

It's all moot, because the Twins would likely not win this bidding war anyways.

 

I agree that they likely won't be willing to win the bidding war, but that doesn't mean they aren't able to. Still, as I mentioned in the previous post, making a mistake on a big signing will not harm this club as they won't be anywhere near payroll limitations.

 

Why the hesitation about making a mistake when it's an affordable one? Besides, they can no longer throw $3 million at a Sano, there are league imposed budget limitations on nearly every international player aside from a guy in this exact situation.

[diehardtwinsfan]

you could get around some of it by giving the kid a nice signing bonus. That would lower the yearly amount.

 

As I said before, I'd give him the money, but it's pretty easy for me to spend the Pohlad's money.

 

I do think in terms of calculated risks, this one makes a bit more sense (assuming they think he's ML ready). He's 26 if I remember correctly, so he's a bit lower risk (and cheaper) than Sanchez or Grienke. That contract will take him through is prime years and fits nicely in with the next wave.

 

I'd probably rely on the scouts pretty heavily. If the kid is throwing mid 90s and locating his plus pitches, I'd do it.

[kab21]

It's a risky move but people were talking about giving guys like Saunders 20-25M/3yrs. If the scouting reports actually match his stuff then 60/5yrs is not a bad deal. This team needs to add pitching talent that can help the team long term. Picking up non-elite 30+ yr olds for 8-10M/yr doesn't really do much long term. A 26 yr old with pretty good stuff would be a huge get for the Twins even if it is risky.

[Reginald Maudling's Shin]

It's hard to gauge whether or not this is a good idea to pursue or not, I don't know if the $60M is for 3 yrs, 5 yrs, or what. On one hand you could be buying a front of hand rotation starter for less than market value, but OTOH you could be out 60M for the next Dice-K. I'd guess I'd wager more towards the former based on some recent history) not including Nishi). Cespedes stepped right in for the A's, for example. BTW it's a good sign the Nishi debacle hasn't stopped them from at least considering International free agents.

 

Is love to see the Twins get him but I think the chances are pretty slim.

[Thrylos]

There's a Dice K for every Yu Darvish, .

 

FYI:

Matsuzaka

a. won a world series with his team (Boston)

b. went 18-3 with a sub 3 ERA

 

2 things that Darvish has not done yet in the major leagues.

 

Dice-K all in all has had a better MLB career than Darvish. In 2-3 years this might change, but this is nothing like Nishioka and Ichiro...