Yadier Alvarez

[nicksaviking]

Darren Wolfson tweeted that Mike Radcliff plus scouts (that's a plural word I notice) were on hand to watch Alvarez's workout.  He's the 18-year-old newest Cuban sensation with a 97 mph heater and reportedly a pretty decent changeup.  The bidding is supposed to be high and it would count against each team's International signing allotment.  It's probably nothing as the Twins haven't appeared to be involved in talks for Cuban players in about 50 years but this Tweet isn't accompanied by Doogie's now common disclaimer about how nothing is expected to materialize out of the trip.  Also, I'm still feeling stung after being repremanded by Jack Going for saying the team should put Tony Oliva's Cuban clout to good use; he implied they have been.

 

https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/status/565628340221255680

[gunnarthor]

I think Alvarez is technically bound under the slotting system so teams that have already blown up the slot amounts could try and get him since they have already incurred the penalty or, if they sit it out since it's an 18 year old kid, the Twins could spend most of their pool to get him.  I doubt that they would go over their pool though.

[nicksaviking]

I think Alvarez is technically bound under the slotting system so teams that have already blown up the slot amounts could try and get him since they have already incurred the penalty or, if they sit it out since it's an 18 year old kid, the Twins could spend most of their pool to get him.  I doubt that they would go over their pool though.

 

Right it seems unlikely, and using revisionist history, we'd then have to ask why if they are willing to blow their budget now, they didn't blow their budget last summer to get even more of these slot busters?

[Mike Sixel]

Pretty sure they've "been in on" or "watched" or whatever every Cuban according to Wolfson. Until they sign one, not sure why we should care.

[bird]

There are a ton of things going on in the DR right now. The Twins have a year-round scouting presence there. 

[tobi0040]

Pretty sure they've "been in on" or "watched" or whatever every Cuban according to Wolfson. Until they sign one, not sure why we should care.

 

This may appear overly negative, but it is exactly how I feel as well. I am not going to get excited and let down.

[nicksaviking]

There are a ton of things going on in the DR right now.

 

Front office Spring Break a week before pitchers and catchers report? Not sure those guys are taking their jobs seriously enough.

[bird]

BA just published an article about a dozen prospects who stood out this winter in DR, VL, and PR. Two of the twelve were Twins, Polanco and Vargas.

 

I'm pretty sure the boys are working, nick.

[nicksaviking]

Pretty sure they've "been in on" or "watched" or whatever every Cuban according to Wolfson. Until they sign one, not sure why we should care.

 

They have, usually he also qualifies his statements saying his sources say it is unlikely to happen.  This time he didn't, but he might just have been feeling lazy today.

[nicksaviking]

BA just published an article about a dozen prospects who stood out this winter in DR, VL, and PR. Two of the twelve were Twins, Polanco and Vargas.

 

I'm pretty sure the boys are working, nick.

 

Geez, the 20 year olds are working and the old guys are partying?  It must be the end of times.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Unlikely yes. That's a fair statement.

 

I think the Twins should go all out, though given their risk averse nature, I doubt it. Bill Smith is with the org still, perhaps he can slip something into Ryan's tonic so he can take helm for a week, just as long as he doesn't make any trades

 

This whole thing is switching to a draft soon. If they want to blow their slotted amount, it makes a ton of sense to do it this year so they won't face any penalties for the 2016 international draft. It seems as though 6-10 teams are already doing this. Get him, get Moncada and sign a bunch of 100k picks next season. I'm perfectly fine with this.

[nytwinsfan]

It appears that due to MLB's "registration system," both Yadier Alvarez and Vladimir Gutierrez, another young promising Cuban pitching prospect will not be able to sign with a MLB team until after July 2, 2015. This is like good news for the chances of the Twins signing either Alvarez or Gutierrez.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/vladimir-gutierrez-yadier-alvares-cant-sign-july-2/

 

Because they cannot sign until after July 2, this means that Angels, Diamondbacks, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees (and any other team that signs Moncada, such as the Dodgers or Padres), won't be in on either of them, since they will be barred from spending more than $300 K on any young international prospect.

 

 

Given the previous rumors of the Twins going over their allotted bonus in the 2015-16 international signing period, I would love to see them take a shot at one or both of Alvarez & Gutierrez. If we are going to incur the two-year penalty, the Twins might as well get, in addition to a bunch of unproven 16-year olds, a high-upside pitcher who is 19, and therefore (1) closer to the majors, and (2), has more established, less risky stuff (although obviously still risky compared to a college pitcher taken in the draft).