Article: International Signing Preview

[Jeremy Nygaard]

If I had to guess today, the Twins will sign Diaz for $1.2m and Tseng for $700,000.

 

Perez is kind of a wild card and I would love to see the Twins get involved. Perez just pitched at the Dome in the PG Showcase and looked really good. I think the Twins will bid high on him - and I hope they get him - but if they don't get him, they could turn some of that money into prospects via trade. They are going to sign a handful of cheaper guys, like they always do, but Perez would give them a big name.

 

Here's the Perfect Game recap of the two innings of work Perez got in with the Class of 2014:

Coming from Macoris, Dominican Republic, Mayky Perez is making his Perfect Game showcase debut, despite throwing in tournaments prior. Standing at 6-foot-5, Perez has very long arms and sat at 91 mph in his first inning, touching 92 mph on the last pitch of the inning which he used to pick up his second strikeout. Perez didn't really need an off speed pitch the way he was throwing his fastball, but he did flash one slider at 77 mph.

[dgwills]

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.

 

Puerto Rico is part of the United States

[maxisagod]

If I had to guess today, the Twins will sign Diaz for $1.2m and Tseng for $700,000.

...

but if they don't get {Perez}, they could turn some of that money into prospects via trade. They are going to sign a handful of cheaper guys, like they always do, but Perez would give them a big name. :

That's a good guess on dollars For Diaz and Tseng, given that's what the Twins paid combined for Minier and Thorpe last year. If the Twins get two top 30 prospects on top of the other regular amount of low bonus player they normally get, that would be a good year. 3 player would be fantastic, second only to the Twins 2009 signing year.

 

I'm starting to notice the rookie league teams are getting pitching heavy after the last two drafts were so pitcher focused and other top hitters got promoted quickly. I'd like the Twins to grab a few more upside bats to balance out the minor leagues a little more next year.

[howieramone1406390264]

That's a good guess on dollars For Diaz and Tseng, given that's what the Twins paid combined for Minier and Thorpe last year. If the Twins get two top 30 prospects on top of the other regular amount of low bonus player they normally get, that would be a good year. 3 player would be fantastic, second only to the Twins 2009 signing year.

 

I'm starting to notice the rookie league teams are getting pitching heavy after the last two drafts were so pitcher focused and other top hitters got promoted quickly. I'd like the Twins to grab a few more upside bats to balance out the minor leagues a little more next year.

I'm not suggesting you're wrong, but I would continue the pitching heavy drafts. IMO the only thing that can derail the rebuilding process is the lack of quality starting pitching prospects. I would stay the course.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm not suggesting you're wrong, but I would continue the pitching heavy drafts. IMO the only thing that can derail the rebuilding process is the lack of quality starting pitching prospects. I would stay the course.

 

Quality pitching is the most sought after of all resources. Even if by chance the Twins hit the lotto with quality pitching and had far more than what they needed, they can flip that with ease for whatever other piece they need. I agree with this statement, I'd stay the course.

[kab21]

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.

 

Okay... 90% money and 10% relationships.

[Red Bull]

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.

 

 

Not trying to be a D bag but PR is part of the US, its not a Latin American Country.

[Red Bull]

Any chance the Twins get a top 5 INT propsepct? You would think they would be all over the top guys because of what Sano is doing? I mean us getting Sano was nothing less than an act of god. Maybe that sparked the Twins into having the mindset that Intl prospects are just as good as draft prospects, maybe better so why not spend the money while they are young?

[diehardtwinsfan]

The Twins have the dollars to do it should they want to. The international FA is kind of like the draft except that each team has a pool that they can spend how they choose. They could give one kid the entire pool or go for 4 or 5 bonus babies if they choose. It's all up to them how they want to split it up. I suspect they will use all of it and get the guys they want, or at the very least trade what they don't want to use away to another team. They could use that cash to with a player they are trading away to bring back a nicer prospect.

 

Keep in mind with Sano, he was considered one of the best ever international guys at that time. The Twins have been very active in the international market before Sano. His success won't make them more active, just as some of these failures won't make them less active.

[maxisagod]

Keep in mind with Sano, he was considered one of the best ever international guys at that time. The Twins have been very active in the international market before Sano. His success won't make them more active, just as some of these failures won't make them less active.

 

Exactly. There is no Sano in this class and I doubt any two teams can even agree on a top five. The Nationals think it's a down year, the Twins think it's a deeper year. The Twins do need to fill their Dominican team as well, but they have more money to do it with this year than others.

 

The Cubs seem to be going all out, rumored to be giving guys way more than their worth to jump start their organization. Their targeting both of BA top 2 players. It sounds like they may even go over their cap. The Astros have by far the most money to spend and now it sounds like they won't get anyone one in BA top 10. So you have the two extremes at the top of the draft pool right there. As long as the Twins use their pool and don't let it go to waste it will be fine by me.

[johnnydakota]

Isnt A. Diaz ,now a Mexican citizen? wouldnt that make him elidgible to be signed july 2nd?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Here's the latest on Diaz, who is old enough that he wouldn't be subjected to the new international pool rules anyway.

[Oxtung]

Puerto Rico is part of the United States

 

You would be correct sir! My dad was a geography teacher, boy would he be disappointed. Do you think I could claim it was a typo?

 

Didn't PR just vote again this year on whether to apply for statehood? I thought I read that somewhere.

[maxisagod]

Matt Garrioch post his top prospects for tomorrow as well. A lot of the same names as the MLB list and BA list, but again, different order. This should help illustrate it's not always easy projecting kids who won't hit their prime for another decade. Here are some of the names we've most recently heard connected to the Twins to one degree or another:

Lewin Diaz (who Matt thinks is definitely a 1B) is at 10.

Mayky Perez RHP is at 18.

Jen-Ho Tseng RHP is at 19

Marten Gasparini SS comes in at 23.

2013 International Signings Preview - Minor League Ball

[CwK]

Berardino at the PiPress just posted an article on the Twins targets. Mentions Diaz and Perez, but also mentions Dutch 3B Ruar Verkerk. Not on SBB's top 32. Haven't checked the others yet.

 

Minnesota Twins set to sign outfield prospect Lewin Diaz - TwinCities.com

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Other names mentioned by BA:

 

Dominican 3B Roni Tapia

Venezuelan OF Edgar Herrera

Australian LHP Lachlan Wells

[InfraRen]

Excited to see who we snag other than Lewin (who could be very solid.)

[dgwills]

You would be correct sir! My dad was a geography teacher, boy would he be disappointed. Do you think I could claim it was a typo?

 

Didn't PR just vote again this year on whether to apply for statehood? I thought I read that somewhere.

I figured it was a typo.

Rumor has it they don't have the best elections down there. I used to live in Florida and the Puerto Ricans I met would get a little upset when people questioned their citizenship. Not a big problem back in Minnesota of course.

[30whales]

Sounds like a sure thing that we are going to sign Lewin Diaz?

[East Coast Twin]

Berardino at the PiPress just posted an article on the Twins targets. Mentions Diaz and Perez, but also mentions Dutch 3B Ruar Verkerk. Not on SBB's top 32. Haven't checked the others yet.

 

Minnesota Twins set to sign outfield prospect Lewin Diaz - TwinCities.com

 

Berardino also quotes Ryan as saying he expects to spend the entire bonus pool.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Berardino also quotes Ryan as saying he expects to spend the entire bonus pool.

 

I think that is part posturing and part hope they can sign Mayky Perez. I can see a situation where they do spend it all, but I expect to see them move some of it after the marker has been a little more defined. Just my two cents.

[CwK]

Do we haz Diaz yet?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Do we haz Diaz yet?

 

Not yet.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Berardino at the PiPress just posted an article on the Twins targets. Mentions Diaz and Perez, but also mentions Dutch 3B Ruar Verkerk. Not on SBB's top 32. Haven't checked the others yet.

 

Minnesota Twins set to sign outfield prospect Lewin Diaz - TwinCities.com

 

I can confirm the Twins made a bid on Verkerk. He's weighing his options: sign to play pro ball or continue playing for the Dutch National team in the Euro Championships. (Not sure he could do both... working on it.)

[Jeremy Nygaard]

[TABLE=width: 836]

[/TD]

POOL

max all.

ROOM LEFT

SPENT

Astros

[TD=align: right]$4,943,700

$7,415,550

$4,943,700

$ -

[/TD]

Rockies

[TD=align: right]$4,213,800

$6,320,700

$4,213,800

$ -

E. Julio

[/TD]

Twins

[TD=align: right]$3,908,600

$5,862,900

$3,908,600

$ -

[/TD]

Cubs

[TD=align: right]$4,557,200

$6,835,800

$3,707,200

$ 850,000

J. Mejia

$ 850,000

[/TD]

Indians

[TD=align: right]$3,636,900

$5,455,350

$3,636,900

$ -

[/TD]

Marlins

[TD=align: right]$3,395,200

$5,092,800

$3,395,200

$ -

[/TD]

Blue Jays

[TD=align: right]$2,817,100

$4,225,650

$2,817,100

$ -

[/TD]

Mariners

[TD=align: right]$2,580,000

$3,870,000

$2,580,000

$ -

[/TD]

Padres

[TD=align: right]$2,500,800

$3,751,200

$2,500,800

$ -

[/TD]

Pirates

[TD=align: right]$2,426,000

$3,639,000

$2,426,000

$ -

[/TD]

Phillies

[TD=align: right]$2,289,700

$3,434,550

$2,289,700

$ -

[/TD]

Brewers

[TD=align: right]$2,227,300

$3,340,950

$2,227,300

$ -

[/TD]

Dodgers

[TD=align: right]$2,112,900

$3,169,350

$2,112,900

$ -

[/TD]

Cardinals

[TD=align: right]$2,060,600

$3,090,900

$2,060,600

$ -

[/TD]

Tigers

[TD=align: right]$2,011,200

$3,016,800

$2,011,200

$ -

[/TD]

Angels

[TD=align: right]$1,993,700

$2,990,550

$1,993,700

$ -

[/TD]

Rays

[TD=align: right]$1,976,500

$2,964,750

$1,976,500

$ -

[/TD]

Orioles

[TD=align: right]$1,959,400

$2,939,100

$1,959,400

$ -

[/TD]

Athletics

[TD=align: right]$1,926,100

$2,889,150

$1,926,100

$ -

[/TD]

Giants

[TD=align: right]$1,909,900

$2,864,850

$1,909,900

$ -

[/TD]

Braves

[TD=align: right]$1,893,800

$2,840,700

$1,893,800

$ -

[/TD]

Yankees

[TD=align: right]$1,877,900

$2,816,850

$1,877,900

$ -

[/TD]

Reds

[TD=align: right]$1,862,100

$2,793,150

$1,862,100

$ -

[/TD]

Diamondbacks

[TD=align: right]$2,355,700

$3,533,550

$1,855,700

$ 500,000

F. Martinez

$ 350,000

Josue Herrera

$ 150,000

Nationals

[TD=align: right]$1,846,900[/TD]

$2,770,350

$1,846,900

$ -

[/TD]

Mets

[TD=align: right]$2,664,600

$3,996,900

$1,699,600

$ 965,000

A. Sanchez

$ 690,000

L. Silva

$ 275,000

Royals

[TD=align: right]$2,988,100[/TD]

$4,482,150

$1,688,100

$ 1,300,000

M. Gasparini

$ 1,300,000

[/TD]

White Sox

[TD=align: right]$2,168,300

$3,252,450

$568,300

$ 1,600,000

M. Zapata

$ 1,600,000

[/TD]

Red Sox

[TD=align: right]$3,179,900

$4,769,850

$899,900

$ 2,280,000

R. Devers

$ 1,500,000

E. DeJesus

$ 780,000

Rangers

[TD=align: right]$1,942,700[/TD]

$2,914,050

($1,207,300)

$ 3,150,000

J.Almonte

$ 1,800,000

Y. Yrrizari

$ 1,350,000

[/TABLE]

[Mr. Ed]

MLB Trade rumors says the TRangers bought some of Miami's pool money to sign players.

 

How stupid is that?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

MLB Trade rumors says the TRangers bought some of Miami's pool money to sign players.

 

How stupid is that?

 

The Marlins will have to get a player back and the money they "bought" the pick with will actually go towards covering the players salary. Rules prohibit teams from simply "buying" pool money.

[johnnydakota]

What are you talking about? They have consistently been at least a top ten spender and they landed one of the highest profile prospects of the past decade in Sano. Just because they didn't throw around ridiculous money doesn't mean they failed to target and sign prospects that they liked. I would also note that since 2009 (when I started tracking) they have always signed at least one (and usually two or three) of the top prospects listed by BA and they have been among the best in Australia and the emerging markets in Europe.

 

Lets take a look from behind the rose colored glasses,we suck, we had just lost 99 games, our minor leaque system was middle of the road....We had just cut 17 million from a profitable payroll(ownership made money)And we knew it was the final year to spend freely(yes i understand spending freely and Terry Ryan dont go together),Instead of doing what Texas did , we did the bare minimual or close to it....

[johnnydakota]

According to Mike Radke, the Twins will be seeking 8 to 10 nternational signings with there 3.9 million dollar allotment. I do hope we are in the hunt for at least 1 of the top 3 shortstops avalibe to be signed

[drjim]

Lets take a look from behind the rose colored glasses,we suck, we had just lost 99 games, our minor leaque system was middle of the road....We had just cut 17 million from a profitable payroll(ownership made money)And we knew it was the final year to spend freely(yes i understand spending freely and Terry Ryan dont go together),Instead of doing what Texas did , we did the bare minimual or close to it....

 

Texas spent more money that is correct. But "bare minimum" is extremely disingenuous. They signed a couple of top 30 prospects and spent comparable to any non-Texas team and more than many other teams.

 

I know I'm a raging homer but I find that to be an acceptable investment.