Angels sign Cuban IFer Roberto Baldoquin

[bloodbrother]

http://js.mlblogs.com/2014/11/04/angels-cubas-baldoquin-come-to-terms-on-a-deal/

 

 

 

The Angels have made a big splash on the international market, agreeing to an $8 million signing bonus with Cuban middle infielder Roberto Baldoquin, the player told MLB.com.
The deal is pending a physical. The club has not confirmed the agreement.

 

The Angels’ bonus pool total for this year’s signing period is $2,383,700, and because they are expected to exceed the pool by 15 percent or more with the Baldoquin signing, the club will not be allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods and will have to pay a 100-percent tax on the pool overage.

Edited November 4, 2014 by bloodbrother

[HaloCory22]

Impostor. 

[Homebrewer]

Bye... Howie.

[bloodbrother]

Perhaps more fuel for a Howie trade. Baldoquin gets some time in the minors to adjust to things in the states while Green/Beckham play the stop gap role at 2B until this guy is ready

 

I have no idea what the scouting report is on this guy. Anybody know anything? They obviously really liked him judging by the signing bonus they gave him

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Moreno finally listened to AO!

[LightTheHalo]

[HaloCory22]

Warning track power!

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

@Alden_Gonzalez: Roberto Baldoquin is 20, and not ready for the big leagues just yet, but 2B Howie Kendrick is a FA after 2015, SS Erick Aybar after 2016.

[Adam]

instrumentosy!

[T.G.]

*Splash*

[Blarg]

Perhaps more fuel for a Howie trade. Baldoquin gets some time in the minors to adjust to things in the states while Green/Beckham play the stop gap role at 2B until this guy is ready

I have no idea what the scouting report is on this guy. Anybody know anything? They obviously really liked him judging by the signing bonus they gave him

Or they do the sensible thing and keep Kendrick while this guy shows he can play and use Green as the infield backup. Still not sold on Beckham not being the guy his career stats say he is. Edited November 4, 2014 by notti

[bloodbrother]

Nothing quite gets the heart racing like watching a well-fit Cuban man going through baseball drills to the tune of some trance/dance music

[wopphil]

Wow. I know that I just recently (like, within the last two days) ripped the FO for avoiding Latin players, and so did many others. And then this happens. Awesome.

[Angel Oracle]

I thought the story on the Future Angels board listed him as a 3B/OF, and not a MI.  

I am confused.

 

3B is a sorely needed spot for upgrading.

 

Update:  I see now that the article listed him as a MI, and was probably implying that he could play 3B and the OF as well. 

Edited November 4, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[Blarg]

Nothing quite gets the heart racing like watching a well-fit Cuban man going through baseball drills to the tune of some trance/dance music

Let me guess, you and Tdawg get together for watch parties?

[Blarg]

I thought the story on the Future Angels board listed him as a 3B/OF, and not a MI.

I am confused.

3B is a sorely needed spot for upgrading.

Update: I see now that the article listed him as a MI, and was probably implying that he could play 3B and the OF as well.

He's read the board and knows nobody likes Freese or Hamilton.

[Glen]

Judging by the video, he's gonna be great when we play a team with one OF.

[Dave Saltzer]

Wow! This guy looks solid. At least worth 3 Rondons.

[oater]

Will Moncada be next?

[LightTheHalo]

He looks really raw in that video.

[Dreams]

More from mlbtraderumors.com

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/angels-to-sign-cuban-infielder-roberto-baldoquin-for-8mm-bonus.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

Here's an interesting excerpt:

Because Baldoquin was subject to the international signing bonus, the Angels have now clearly shattered their international bonus pool. By adding Baldoquin, the Halos are subjecting themselves to a 100 percent luxury tax on any dollars spent over their $2.383MM bonus pool, and they will also be ineligible to sign any player for more than $300K in either of the next two international signing periods. They can, however, spend as aggressively as they wish for the remainder of this signing period, which runs through mid-June. At this point, because they’ll already have been hit with the max penalties, the only further penalties they will incur will be the 100 percent on any further dollars that are spent on international free agents.

[Brent Maguire]

Love this.

 

There are literally no scouting reports on him right now but clearly the Angels feel like they've found the right guy. The video of him shows a pretty compact swing along with some quick hands. 3B/OF in the future, hopefully he sticks at 3B since it's a dire need. 

[HaloMilliVanilli]

Lets hope this guy and Moncada are best buds and this was just step one in developing our Latin America presence.  We can spend whatever we want until the end of this signing period, but will be taxed on whatever else we spend.

[m0nkey]

Who?

[Dave Saltzer]

I would love to add Moncado on top of this signing.