International News, Rumor and Signing Thread

[bravesfanMatt]

I'd love to get Lazarito, but Maitan is my main goal right now. Guiterriez is close. Get those guys and I'm happy.

Abe and Kevin are my top 2 as well.. then I would like to steal one from the Cards and Nats just because. Lazo would be incredible.. I am all on board his hype train.. but I don't want them signing him for 25 million and then only able to get Maitan and be done.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Abe and Kevin are my top 2 as well.. then I would like to steal one from the Cards and Nats just because. Lazo would be incredible.. I am all on board his hype train.. but I don't want them signing him for 25 million and then only able to get Maitan and be done.

That's how I feel. We need to make sure we have our priorities in line. I'm super excited about how many resources we have for the international market, but take it step by step boys!

 

[Enscheff]

Still not sure I would call us the favorite. That article basically says he can't make up his mind and he is not close to making a decision. He could sign next week with the Dodgers when they kick in 5 more million. I am sorry, this whole thing reeks of smelly fish.. I think they are playing the system to get the most money.. and I don't disagree with their approach.. They know the closer it gets to July 2, the more likely teams that can't sign him after that date will push harder to get him..

question.. does the 2015/16 signing period end July 1st or when season begins? I thought it was July 1st.. but I was reading something, don't remember what, that said if the season starts and he hasn't signed, then he will have to wait until July 2nd..

Jeff Sullivan over at FG thinks the Braves are the favorites to sign him:

10:03 Art Vandelay: Lazarito waiting to make a decision probably means he's going to the Braves, right?
10:04 Jeff Sullivan: That was the sense I got

I'm really trying to temper expectations, but if the Braves draft an elite arm like Groome/Puk/Hansen/Pint and sign Maitan, Lazarito, and Gutierrez....wow.

In 3-5 years the lineup could contain those guys plus the likes of Riley, Albies, Swanson and Freeman with the rotation consisting of the newest draftee plus Fried, Allard, Newcomb, and Teheran. And a BP with Viz and Folty. Sure is fun to dream on...

 

[UNCBlue012]

Jeff Sullivan over at FG thinks the Braves are the favorites to sign him:

10:03 Art Vandelay: Lazarito waiting to make a decision probably means he's going to the Braves, right?
10:04 Jeff Sullivan: That was the sense I got

I'm really trying to temper expectations, but if the Braves draft an elite arm like Groome/Puk/Hansen/Pint and sign Maitan, Lazarito, and Gutierrez....wow.

Stop this. That excites me so much. I can't even imagine how good we could be for an extending period of time with so much talent, elite-type talent at that.

 

[DaneHill]

Jeff Sullivan over at FG thinks the Braves are the favorites to sign him:

10:03 Art Vandelay: Lazarito waiting to make a decision probably means he's going to the Braves, right?
10:04 Jeff Sullivan: That was the sense I got

I'm really trying to temper expectations, but if the Braves draft an elite arm like Groome/Puk/Hansen/Pint and sign Maitan, Lazarito, and Gutierrez....wow.

And then have Chipper around to help coach these young kids' bats? Yes please!

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Jeff Sullivan over at FG thinks the Braves are the favorites to sign him:

10:03 Art Vandelay: Lazarito waiting to make a decision probably means he's going to the Braves, right?
10:04 Jeff Sullivan: That was the sense I got

I'm really trying to temper expectations, but if the Braves draft an elite arm like Groome/Puk/Hansen/Pint and sign Maitan, Lazarito, and Gutierrez....wow.

In 3-5 years the lineup could contain those guys plus the likes of Riley, Albies, Swanson and Freeman with the rotation consisting of the newest draftee plus Fried, Allard, Newcomb, and Teheran. And a BP with Viz and Folty. Sure is fun to dream on...

had not seen that. Wonder where he is getting his info from. Hey, I would be excited if we get all three.. I think I would be pretty excited to just get Maitan and Lazo.. but I really really want Abe too..

 

[Hudson2]

Coppy really has gained complete trust. He reminds me Theo in a way. But if he can convince Lazaro to wait then he is gonna wait for a reason. He is gonna run the table on the international market. If I were Lazaro and I knew that Maitan was a shoe in and seeing all the other young talent I'd wanna be a part of that and come up thru the system with them. If the Braves pull this off and can draft Puk or Groome then they could have the best farm system ever.

 

[chop2chip]

The future is exciting(!) and all, but its going to be impossible for all of you to not be let down when you are projecting "3-5 years" out, especially with unsigned 16 year old Latin players that only a handful of scouts have actually seen play.

 

[UNCBlue012]

The future is exciting(!) and all, but its going to be impossible for all of you to not be let down when you are projecting "3-5 years" out, especially with unsigned 16 year old Latin players that only a handful of scouts have actually seen play.

My thoughts are more long term. We aren't going to have all of these guys at once. I'm excited because this gives us more resources going forward and enlarges our window extensively.

 

[chop2chip]

My thoughts are more long term. We aren't going to have all of these guys at once. I'm excited because this gives us more resources going forward and enlarges our window extensively.

Sure. i agree with all of that. Even I find it interesting to follow all of the little developments with the J2 period, but, man, these are 16 year old kids that everyone is investing all of their hope in. Granted, it's cool and it matters, but I have seen some build out 2018 lineups that have Maitan, Abe, Laz, etc. in them. We haven't even signed these players yet and that's not even addressing the ultra high bust percentage inherent with 16 year old kids.

 

[praeceps93]

I really want us to get Adrian Morejon as well. Control issues but his stuff is electric.

 

[chop2chip]

I really want us to get Adrian Morejon as well. Control issues but his stuff is electric.

Badler and Longerhangen reported today that the Padres are the heavy favorites to sign him. It looks like that shipped sailed.

 

[Hudson2]

If all these guys are signed then you can count on 2020 being the earliest they'll be ready for the bigs.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Sure. i agree with all of that. Even I find it interesting to follow all of the little developments with the J2 period, but, man, these are 16 year old kids that everyone is investing all of your hope in. Granted, it's cool and it matters, but I have seen build out 2018 lineups that have Maitan, Abe, Laz, etc. in them. We haven't even signed these players yet and that's not even addressing the ultra high bust percentage inherent with 16 year old kids.

my hope also lies in the fact that we will have the top ten prospects in baseball this time next year. Sure my fall will be hard.. but I fully expect for you guys to be there to pick me up. Now let me go back to my delusional fantasy world please...

 

[smootness]

had not seen that. Wonder where he is getting his info from. Hey, I would be excited if we get all three.. I think I would be pretty excited to just get Maitan and Lazo.. but I really really want Abe too..

We're getting Maitan and Gutierrez. You don't really have to worry much about those.

It's Lazarito that is the question here. Maitan and Gutierrez plus others are pretty close to a sure thing.

 

[smootness]

Coppy really has gained complete trust. He reminds me Theo in a way. But if he can convince Lazaro to wait then he is gonna wait for a reason. He is gonna run the table on the international market. If I were Lazaro and I knew that Maitan was a shoe in and seeing all the other young talent I'd wanna be a part of that and come up thru the system with them. If the Braves pull this off and can draft Puk or Groome then they could have the best farm system ever.

I'm sure this is what we're selling. We obviously have to be competitive monetarily as well, but the kind of young talent we are/will be adding is certainly intriguing.

 

[smootness]

My thoughts are more long term. We aren't going to have all of these guys at once. I'm excited because this gives us more resources going forward and enlarges our window extensively.

Yep. We are about to see three different waves of talent, each one potentially better than the last.

1st wave:
Swanson, Blair, Newcomb, Sims, Albies, Mallex, possibly Ruiz, Jenkins, Gant, Ellis, etc.

2nd wave:
Riley, Allard, Touki, Soroka, Davidson, Fried, Sanchez, Herbert

3rd wave:
Maitan, Gutierrez, Lazarito?, all our recent int'l signing (Pache, Cruz), plus all the other guys we sign on July 2.

Our #3 pick could potentially fall into any of these waves, though probably 1 or 2.

 

[smootness]

Sure. i agree with all of that. Even I find it interesting to follow all of the little developments with the J2 period, but, man, these are 16 year old kids that everyone is investing all of your hope in. Granted, it's cool and it matters, but I have seen build out 2018 lineups that have Maitan, Abe, Laz, etc. in them. We haven't even signed these players yet and that's not even addressing the ultra high bust percentage inherent with 16 year old kids.

This is important to remember. It's obviously fun to project all these guys out, but at least some of them will never make the majors or at least never make an impact. That said, I don't see Maitan being in that group. Guys that are that highly regarded at that age almost always end up becoming very, very good major leaguers. He's the one I'm fine with getting pumped about.

 

[praeceps93]

Badler and Longerhangen reported today that the Padres are the heavy favorites to sign him. It looks like that shipped sailed.

Yeah I saw that. Makes me sad. As good as our pitching in the system is, I would've loved to add an arm with that type of upside.

 

[chop2chip]

This is important to remember. It's obviously fun to project all these guys out, but at least some of them will never make the majors or at least never make an impact. That said, I don't see Maitan being in that group. Guys that are that highly regarded at that age almost always end up becoming very, very good major leaguers. He's the one I'm fine with getting pumped about.

I wouldn't even be that confident. The list below isn't cherry picked. It's the top signing bonuses ever paid out to J2 signing players as of 2009 (anything post that timeline wouldn't be a fair consideration at this point). Not a lot of hits, plenty of misses.

Michael Ynoa, 16, RHP, 2008, Athletics, D.R., $4,250,000
Miguel Sano, 16, SS, 2009, Twins, D.R., $3,150,000
Gary Sanchez, 16, C, 2009, Yankees, D.R., $3,000,000
Rafael Rodriguez, 16, OF, 2008, Giants, D.R., $2,550,000
Yorman Rodriguez, 16, OF, 2008, Reds, VZA, $2,500,000
Wily Mo Peña, 17, OF, 1999, Yankees, D.R., $2,440,000
Joel Guzman, 16, SS, 2001, Dodgers, D.R., $2,255,000
Angel Villalona, 16, 3B, 2006, Giants, D.R., $2,100,00
Juan Duran, 16, OF, 2008, Reds, D.R., $2,000,000
Adys Portillo, 16, RHP, 2008, Padres, VZA, $2,000,000
Guillermo Pimental, 16, CF, 2009, Mariners, D.R., $2,000,000
Jose Vincio, 16, SS, 2009, Red Sox, D.R., $1,950,000
Miguel Cabrera, 16, IF, 1999, Marlins, VZA, $1,800,000
Jesus Montero, 16, C, 2006, Yankees, VZA, $1,650,000
Jackson Melian, 16, OF, 1996, Yankees, VZA, $1,600,000
Jurickson Profar, 16, SS, 2009, Rangers, Curaçao, $1,550,000
Ricardo Aramboles, 16, RHP, 1998, Yankees, D.R., $1,520,000
Luis Sardinas, 16, SS, 2009, Rangers, VZA, 1,500,000
Michael Almanzar, 16, SS, 2007, Red Sox, D.R., $1,500,000
Esmailyn Gonzalez, 16, SS, 2006, Nationals, D.R., $1,400,000
Fernando Martinez, 16, OF, 2005, Mets, D.R., $1,400,000
Willy Aybar, 16, IF, 2000, Dodgers, D.R., $1,400,000
Carlos Triunfel, 16, SS, 2006, Mariners, D.R., $1,300,000
Luis Domoromo, 16, OF, 2008, Padres, VZA, $1,250,000
Juan Urbina, 16, LHP, 2009, Mets, VZA, $1,250,000
Chesler Cuthbert, 16, 3B, 2009, Royals, Nicaragua, $1,200,000
Roberto De la Cruz, 16, 3B, 2008, Cardinals, D.R., $1,100,000
Julio Morban, 16, OF, 2008, Mariners, D.R., $1,100,000
Kelvin De Leon, 16, OF, 2007, Yankees, D.R., $1,100,000
Alvaro Aristy, 17, SS, 2008, Padres, D.R., $1,000,000
Jharmidy De Jesus, 17, SS, 2007, Mariners, D.R., $1,000,000