Article: International Signing Preview

[nicksaviking]

Recent defectors Cespedes, Puig and Chapman all recieved MLB contracts upon signing. That meant the clock started ticking regardless as to whether they started in the minors or majors. Assuming the front office will soon consider this a "rebuilding" season, I wonder if that would deter this club? They can't delay his service time until a later date to maximize his contract during competitve years like they could with a traditional prospect.

[drjim]

Recent defectors Cespedes, Puig and Chapman all recieved MLB contracts upon signing. That meant the clock started ticking regardless as to whether they started in the minors or majors. Assuming the front office will soon consider this a "rebuilding" season, I wonder if that would deter this club? They can't delay his service time until a later date to maximize his contract during competitve years like they could with a traditional prospect.

 

Not exactly. Major league contract just means he went right on the 40 man. So it would cost options to send to the minors but not service time.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Typically Cubans and almost always Japanese have special language written into their contract when it comes to arbitration and free agency. I'm not exactly sure how it works but it would be different than your average signee/draft pick.

 

Consider me someone who thinks the Twins will be serious in this pursuit.

[kab21]

I would love it if not only the Twins made a splash with their large int'l bonus pool money but also if they landed a medium profile Cuban.

[notoriousgod71]

I want Alfredo Despaigne to defect. That guy is awesome.

[cmb0252]

Over at SB Nation someone did a top 50 list/Write ups for the 2013 international draft. Lots of good info on the players. Link below:

 

2013 International Free Agents (UPDATED RANKINGS + VIDEO) - Minor League Ball

[cmb0252]

Darren Wolfson notes:

The Twins "are dealing...heavily" with Amauris Nina, a trainer/agent tied to several international prospects, most notably 16-year-old Dominican outfielder

Elon Jimenez

. The Cubs are considered to be a "

heavy favorite

" to sign Jimenez once the international signing period begins on July 2.

[maxisagod]

MLB.com top 30 International prospects list has come out with summaries, comps, and videos!

2013 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: News

 

A few name that have been connected to the Twins:

 

*Micker Zapata is Ranked 2, but over the past month lots of other teams have been linked to the CF.

*Lewin Diaz is Ranked 10, more David Ortiz and Ryan Howard comps.

*JenHo Tseng is Ranked 29 and is one of the only players from Asia on the list.

*Marten Gasparini is Ranked 30, though never directly connected to the Twins, given their presence in Europe in the past, he's got to be on their radar.

[CwK]

MLB.com top 30 International prospects list has come out with summaries, comps, and videos!

2013 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: News

 

A few name that have been connected to the Twins:

 

*Micker Zapata is Ranked 2, but over the past month lots of other teams have been linked to the CF.

*Lewin Diaz is Ranked 10, more David Ortiz and Ryan Howard comps.

*JenHo Tseng is Ranked 29 and is one of the only players from Asia on the list.

*Marten Gasparini is Ranked 30, though never directly connected to the Twins, given their presence in Europe in the past, he's got to be on their radar.

 

International free agency has been very good to the Twins.

I want all of them.

[kab21]

I don't think it matters who is linked to Zapata. There are only 3 teams with more money to offer him unless someone trades for bonus pool money. Most of these prospects will sign with whichever team offers the most money.

[diehardtwinsfan]

This is one of the markets where the top bid is going to win the prize. Most of these guys are using this money to take care of their families and could care less what organization they play for. This year and next may be the last time the Twins get a decent size bonus pool to go after these guys. I hope there's some ace type pitching prospects/high upside middle infielders that they go heavily after.

[Twins Twerp]

Position doesnt matter in the international market. These guys wont be in the bigs for 8ish years. Go for the high upside guys. It would be nice to find a SS but I would be ok with some corner guys too.

[Vervehound]

Position doesnt matter in the international market. These guys wont be in the bigs for 8ish years. Go for the high upside guys. It would be nice to find a SS but I would be ok with some corner guys too.

 

yes, but....if we don't find a ss in the int'l market, we likely never will. chances of finding one out of vz or the dr is much better than in the draft.

[diehardtwinsfan]

yes, but....if we don't find a ss in the int'l market, we likely never will. chances of finding one out of vz or the dr is much better than in the draft.

 

I am somewhat curious about this, but it seems like the latin america market has far more SS/2B type guys than other position players.

[Vervehound]

I am somewhat curious about this, but it seems like the latin america market has far more SS/2B type guys than other position players.

 

yep, though i wouldn't say they're short on other positions players - just long on middle infielders.

[jay]

yep, though i wouldn't say they're short on other positions players - just long on middle infielders.

 

Some evidence to support.

 

MLB.com Top 10 SS Prospects:

5 - Int'l

5 - HS (3 from Puerto Rico)

0 - College

 

2013 MLB Top-10 WAR Leaders, SS:

6 - Int'l

2 - HS

2 - College

[nicksaviking]

Some evidence to support.

 

MLB.com Top 10 SS Prospects:

5 - Int'l

5 - HS (3 from Puerto Rico)

0 - College

 

2013 MLB Top-10 WAR Leaders, SS:

6 - Int'l

2 - HS

2 - College

 

Yeah, SS is definately a target for the international market, good breakdown. It's a little more difficult than just signing them though. Simiarly to HS, just about every top infielder is listed as a SS right now even though most or many will likely end up at 2B/3B.

 

Watching this year's draft, I don't think it's a surprise that seldom does a collegiate SS end up being a top player. Teams don't seem to hesitate to pick HS shortstops and give them above slot bonuses even though they don't show much ability with the bat. The postion is pretty picked over by the time the college guys are eligible. When the international draft finally occurs, I don't think it will it be a surprise if a third of the guys drafted in the first round are Carribean shortstops.

[jay]

It's a little more difficult than just signing them though. Simiarly to HS, just about every top infielder is listed as a SS right now even though most or many will likely end up at 2B/3B.

 

Very true. I wanted to do the same breakdown for 2B, but I ran out of energy/interest.

 

However, of the 10 shortstops on MLB.com's list, 3 have questions about moving to 3B and 3 more have questions about moving to 2B. That said, you can't get a SS if you don't at least sign guys that have a chance to stick there (we all knew Miguel Sano wasn't going to be a SS) and, like you said, the Int'l market is a great place to start.

 

Separately, I'm not sold on the idea that the Twins need to or could trade away some of their pool. If we're trading away an MLB player, it would seem to me we could just as well get part of someone else's pool and try to grab a few high-end Int'l guys before the rules change.

[Vervehound]

Some evidence to support.

 

MLB.com Top 10 SS Prospects:

5 - Int'l

5 - HS (3 from Puerto Rico)

0 - College

 

2013 MLB Top-10 WAR Leaders, SS:

6 - Int'l

2 - HS

2 - College

 

nice breakdown. another thing i'd point out is that if a college player has a plus bat and can handle a premium position, he'll be gone in the first couple of picks - i'm guessing tulowitzki is one of the ss's listed in the WAR leaders, for example.

[jay]

nice breakdown. another thing i'd point out is that if a college player has a plus bat and can handle a premium position, he'll be gone in the first couple of picks - i'm guessing tulowitzki is one of the ss's listed in the WAR leaders, for example.

 

Thanks. You're absolutely right on Tulo and the high picks. Turner from NC State is a college guy that projects to stay at SS and leadoff -- he's going to get a ton of hype next spring.

[cmb0252]

Thanks. You're absolutely right on Tulo and the high picks. Turner from NC State is a college guy that projects to stay at SS and leadoff -- he's going to get a ton of hype next spring.

 

Turner is a beast. Like Buxton, he has true 80 speed. A turner/Buxton 1/2 punch would be insane.

[Vervehound]

Thanks. You're absolutely right on Tulo and the high picks. Turner from NC State is a college guy that projects to stay at SS and leadoff -- he's going to get a ton of hype next spring.

 

yep, turner is projected as an early top five pick in what looks like a pretty deep draft next year. if ever the twins were to pull a tank job, this would be a good year (though i'd still take beede/rodon ahead of turner).

[maxisagod]

I don't think it matters who is linked to Zapata. There are only 3 teams with more money to offer him unless someone trades for bonus pool money. Most of these prospects will sign with whichever team offers the most money.

 

True. Though it isn't exactly like an auction house. Relationships are built up between Trainers, players, and team scouts/ representatives. A trainer puts out a number and deals are made. The Twins could out bid the White Soxs this year for a guy like Zapata, but because there is so much talent that can be found for less it might be a wiser strategy to spread the money out. Still, grabbing 2 elite guys could be possible this year.

[Oxtung]

This is one of the markets where the top bid is going to win the prize. Most of these guys are using this money to take care of their families and could care less what organization they play for. This year and next may be the last time the Twins get a decent size bonus pool to go after these guys. I hope there's some ace type pitching prospects/high upside middle infielders that they go heavily after.

 

When we did our study of ace pitchers one of the big things that stood out is that it is darn near impossible to hit it big on an international signing. IIRC in the last 30 years there have been 3. Pedro Martinez, Carlos Zambrano and Felix Hernandez. It will be interesting to see what happens with the recent Asian influx. Maybe things will change.

[Oxtung]

To follow up with the 2nd baseman:

 

2013 top 2B by WAR:

Intl:3

Coll:5 (2 from ASU)

CC:2

HS:1

 

2013 top prospects:

Intl:2

Coll:2

CC:1

HS:4+1 (4 from US and Eddie Rosario from PR a Latin American country but still in the draft so count it how you want)

 

Looks like 2B is much more US focused.

[CwK]

@DarrenWolfson: OF Micker Zapata, ranked by many as the No. 2 international FA, is not strongly in the #MNTwins mix, per a source. Int'l FA starts July 2.

 

Boooo

[maxisagod]

Wolfson also confirms interest in Lewin Diaz and a pitcher named Vargas. Ben Badler reminded people on his twitter account that 3 people got over a million dollar bonus that weren't on Baseball America's list last year. Less people are connected to International Players so it can lead to a lot surprises.

[maxisagod]

Baseball America's Top 30 list came out this morning. A lot of the same names but in a very different order.

 

July 2 Top 30 International Prospects List - BaseballAmerica.com

[Mike Sixel]

I have no idea who this is, but I want him for his name:

 

Yeyson Yrizarri

[maxisagod]

Levelle gives an update. He Talks more about the Twins being in on Diaz and mentions a new name, pitcher Mayky Perez. Listed 19th by Baseballe America, but 9th overall (2nd pitcher) by mlb.com (just ahead of Diaz). MLB says he's 16 years old, 6'3" mid 90's fastball, change up, slider. Lacks control right now. Twins do like the SS from Italy, but maybe not as much as other teams do (Rumors are the Royals want to make him a very rich kid). Levelle also reminds us that this isn't a draft, some of these signing may not happen on the 2nd and could take weeks of negotiation and bidding.

 

Twins target Dominican teen Diaz | StarTribune.com