2017-2018 International bonus money

[sthpstm]

I see a lot of mentions of what the Twins should do with the money from Marte's failed signing. Now that Ohtani is officially out for the Twins, let's discuss.

I know Maitan is the big name of the ex-Braves prospects, but I assume he'll cost all of the money remaining.

I'd shoot for what seems to be the best pitcher among the group, Year Del Rosario. He held his own as a 17 year old in the GCL and may remain a starter with good upside.

I'd also be aiming for recent Cuban defector Julio Pablo Martinez, a 21 year old projected to start at High-A or AA with a good power/speed combination.

[Mike Sixel]

I would get three of them. Whatever best three they can.

[gSutter]

I'd like to see the Twins shop their international bonus money to the 7 teams still in on the Ohtani bidding.

[sthpstm]

 

I'd like to see the Twins shop their international bonus money to the 7 teams still in on the Ohtani bidding.

I'm not convinced the signing team will need any additional money. 

Keep in mind that the Padres are one of the finalists and they are limited to $300,000 for a signing bonus.

[nicksaviking]

 

I'm not convinced the signing team will need any additional money. 

Keep in mind that the Padres are one of the finalists and they are limited to $300,000 for a signing bonus.

 

Yeah, doesn't look like the International bonus funds are important for Ohtani. 

 

Beside, teams trading their International cap money aren't exactly getting exciting pieces back in return.

[PseudoSABR]

I'm sure any plan that these teams have for wooing Ohtani includes the ability to trade for additional dollars should they need to.   Money may be the determining factor, but surely its a factor. 

 

The Twins should be exploring all fronts, to ensure they don't have Int'l money left unspent.

[Monkeypaws]

Glom on to those released Braves!

[sthpstm]

 

Glom on to those released Braves!

Which? You have competition from every team and you won't get all of them.

I can't imagine Maitan coming to the Twins. He likely expects to start in low A, and the Twins already have a potential playing time issue at SS with Lewis and Javier.

[dougd]

"I know Maitan is the big name of the ex-Braves prospects, but I assume he'll cost all of the money remaining."

 

"I can't imagine Maitan coming to the Twins. He likely expects to start in low A, and the Twins already have a potential playing time issue at SS with Lewis and Javier."
 

I would like to hear from Ben, but I gather that Maitan is not quite the prospect he was a year ago. I don't know how accurate, or standard, these assessments from BPro's 2018 Atlanta top 10 are (Nov 6), where he is #9 in a stacked minor league prospect list:

Good: plus hit/power, precocious bat control and zone awareness, passable defensive skills at 3rd. 

Bad: long term swing and miss concerns, already high-maintenance body, not a shortstop. Below average runner. Ends up at 1B or DH.

Other views: Fringe top 10 fantasy 3rd baseman ceiling. Stiff arms, not plus arm.

 

Our guy Ynoa did make the top 20 in this prospect list.

[Doomtints]

I'm not expecting a watershed moment here, but the Twins should be able to get a decent player or two. No immediate superstars, just usual front office business....

[gunnarthor]

Royals got Del Rosario. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/royals-sign-former-braves-prospect-yefri-del-rosario.html

 

I wonder if we end up not using all our bonus pool money. It'll be interesting to see but we did add a bit of payroll (Garcia's contract) during the season so maybe the FO was instructed to save money if/where it could. 

 

At this point, I think it's more likely we trade off some of our money and resign Marte at a lower amount than go after the Atlanta prospects.

[ppearson50]

Well so much for using our international money on the former Atlanta Brave prospect who is rated 38th on MLB.com Prospect Watch. Drats!

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/angels-sign-kevin-maitan-former-braves-prospect.html

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, not really impressed with the Twins use of international pool so far. We have time to change that but I'm starting to worry that we are just not going to spend the money.

[sthpstm]

And Maitan is now gone to Angels, who may be using their 2018-2019 funds on him.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/angels-sign-kevin-maitan-former-braves-prospect.html

 

[dbminn]

Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs reviewed a few of the released prospects here . MLBTR reports that Del Rosario signed with the Royals. Keep our fingers crossed for Contreras, maybe?

[Riverbrian]

 

I'm not convinced the signing team will need any additional money. 

Keep in mind that the Padres are one of the finalists and they are limited to $300,000 for a signing bonus.

 

The Money clearly didn't matter when he culled his list down to 7 but there is a good chance it is going to matter when he culls that list down to 1. 

 

 

The Giants, Cubs, Dodgers and Padres are capped at $300,000.  

 

The Rangers can bonus $3.5 Million

The Mariners can bonus $1.5 Million

The Angels can bonus $1.3 Million. 

 

If Otani likes both the Rangers and the Padres and can't decide between both of them. That 3 Million difference will seem like 20 Million. 

 

Therefore... The Twins holding $3.2 Million that can be traded to the Mariners or Angels to bring them up to the Rangers level could be a huge acquisition for the Mariners or Angels down the road. 

 

It's money that could fetch something decent in return to the Twins... if it will bring home the prize of Otani. 

[Mike Sixel]

Anyone that thinks they have any idea how Ohtani is making this decision is fooling themselves.

[Doomtints]

Don't forget that "International Bonus Money" isn't free money. The Pohlads still have to open the wallet. If the Twins don't find a player or players they want, the money won't get spent. It's a limit, not a blank check. They don't have to spend this money if they don't find a player with mutual interest.

 

I'm not saying the Twins won't sign someone (or a couple someones), I'm just saying don't set yourselves up for disappointment if it doesn't happen. I'm getting the vibe that some of us are getting frustrated....

[Mr. Brooks]

Well I, for one, will be disappointed if they don't spend it. It will cement the "cheap image as true.

 

There is talent to spend it on.

[Winston Smith]

They will likely spend it but it might be on a radio station or car dealership.

[Mike Sixel]

There is no reason not to spend it. Every team wastes more than that on one or more veteran per year. If they don't use it, I will be both surprised and very disappointed.

[Old Twins Cap]

 

The Money clearly didn't matter when he culled his list down to 7 but there is a good chance it is going to matter when he culls that list down to 1. 

 

 

The Giants, Cubs, Dodgers and Padres are capped at $300,000.  

 

The Rangers can bonus $3.5 Million

The Mariners can bonus $1.5 Million

The Angels can bonus $1.3 Million. 

 

 

So, here is Otani, sizing up potential suitors for his generational talent, and San Diego walks in and says, "And in terms of salary, we are able to offer you .... less than most minor league players in our organization."

 

I suppose it could be argued that no one knows what Otani really wants, but, from his perspective, not being able to cover his travel costs back and forth from Japan has got to send up warning flares.

 

Or, to look at it another way:  Wouldn't almost everyone be willing to take Otani in exchange for a couple of mid-level pitching prospects?

 

He will get more than people think with this first contract.

 

Twins' brass understood that International Pool dollars would be in high demand and they positioned themselves accordingly.  Kudos to them.

 

 

 

[amjgt]

We did spend it. We just also unspent it. The timing of which, was ideal for our Ohtani hopes and dreams but not ideal for respending it.

[USAFChief]

So, here is Otani, sizing up potential suitors for his generational talent, and San Diego walks in and says, "And in terms of salary, we are able to offer you .... less than most minor league players in our organization."

 

I suppose it could be argued that no one knows what Otani really wants, but, from his perspective, not being able to cover his travel costs back and forth from Japan has got to send up warning flares.

 

Or, to look at it another way: Wouldn't almost everyone be willing to take Otani in exchange for a couple of mid-level pitching prospects?

 

He will get more than people think with this first contract.

 

Twins' brass understood that International Pool dollars would be in high demand and they positioned themselves accordingly. Kudos to them.

San Diego will be offering the exact same salary as another team. Just a smaller signing bonus.

[Riverbrian]

 

Anyone that thinks they have any idea how Ohtani is making this decision is fooling themselves.

 

Yep... All of us have no idea what he is thinking and feeling. No way to grasp what is truly important to him. He has already made decisions that don't appear to be based on Money... such as posting this year and including the Padres on his 7 team list. 

 

However... After, He runs all the clubs through his "what's important to me" filter. 

 

His agents will still have the leverage to ask the Mariners, Angels or even Rangers to acquire more bonus pool money to get his signature on a contract or he will sign with the Padres because he likes Tijuana. 

 

If it comes down to that request... Those teams could become real desperate... real accommodating... real fast... just to acquire some extra IBP money to get the deal done. 

 

I have no idea what is important to him... but Millions of Dollars in bonus money would be a tremendous tiebreaker for almost anyone on the planet.

 

 

[amjgt]

All of our Intl Cap money to Seattle for Nelson Cruz?

 

1/14M left on his contract. Primary DH blocking Ohtani

 

Who says no?

[Mike Sixel]

 

All of our Intl Cap money to Seattle for Nelson Cruz?

 

1/14M left on his contract. Primary DH blocking Ohtani

 

Who says no?

 

I hope the Twins. I'd rather have three of the remaining Braves' prospects than 1 year of Cruz. 

[Mike Sixel]

Well, four of the 12 are signed, and I admit I wanted the pitcher KC got, and the catcher that Philly got, not knowing much about any of them......and, of course Maitan. Still hope!

[amjgt]

Give Cruz a QO after next season and we'd likely end up with a better prospect than any of the Braves scraps

[USAFChief]

I hope the Twins. I'd rather have three of the remaining Braves' prospects than 1 year of Cruz.

huh...I'd take one yr of Cruz over all the remaining Braves prospects.