Meet the latest Cuban sensation who could change the game

[gotbeer]

Meet the latest Cuban sensation who could change the game

 

Under baseball’s current collective-bargaining agreement, international free agents under 23 years old with fewer than five years’ experience in a professional league fall under the purview of MLB’s international bonus pool. Meaning for every dollar a team goes beyond its allotted budget to sign international amateurs – the highest this season is Houston with $4.94 million – it must pay a 100 percent tax. On top of that, if a team goes 15 percent beyond its pool, it cannot spend more than $300,000 on an international amateur for the next two signing periods.

 

 

So far, the closest any team has come to shattering its pool with one player is the Los Angeles Angels, who signed 20-year-old infielder Roberto Baldoquin for $8 million last week. Moncada is considered a far superior prospect, and with the Angels, New York Yankees and Boston Red Soxamong the teams that have exceeded their 2014 pools by 15 percent, the incentive exists to go strong on Moncada. 

 

 

If Moncada reaches free agency before June 15, 2015, the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels are eligible to sign him. If not, because of the penalties that will restrict who they can sign in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 periods, the max they would be able to offer is $300,000.

 

 

[Angel Oracle]

Moncada, please!

 

That's much better than signing yet another 30+ aging player to a big money deal.

[Dave Saltzer]

From what I hear, I really do hope we break the bank on him. We need to fill 3B long term, and this is the year to go big on developing talent instead of signing a big named FA.

[DMVol]

Makes some sense to go after him, for the reasons we've discussed at length....afraid the bidding will get pretty crazy however...

[tdawg87]

This makes too much sense.

[Angelsjunky]

Moncada sounds like such a talent that the bidding is going to blow everything else away. But to be honest, I kind of hope that Arte wants him so badly that he gets involved and tells Dipoto "Whatever it takes," kind of like he did with Pujols.

 

I'm glad about Baldoquin, but I'm also wondering if it was a bit of a "drunk purchase." Otherwise it seems that Dipoto sees something in him that others didn't, or simply was willing to overpay for someone who sounds like a good-but-not-great prospect.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Im fuzzy on the last part. We can only offer him 300K?....

[tdawg87]

Im fuzzy on the last part. We can only offer him 300K?....

Only if he becomes a free agent after June 15 2015 or whenever the deadline is. If he becomes a FA this offseason, which he most likely will, they can offer him whatever they want.

[Turd Ferguson]

It makes too much sense, which is why it probably won't happen.  He would be my #1 priority.

[laagamer]

Why the hell not?

[T.G.]

They're talking $100 million for this guy....

[Docwaukee]

They're talking $100 million for this guy....

plus the massive tax?  

 

I just can't imagine making that level of financial commitment to an unproven player.  

[tdawg87]

I'd rather they spend that money on young, unproven talent in an area of need than on an aging veteran past his prime.

[Docwaukee]

I'd rather they spend that money on young, unproven talent in an area of need than on an aging veteran past his prime.

but a 200 million dollar commitment?  

 

I don't want they spending 200mil on anyone.  

[T.G.]

And so the intrigue is just starting. Teams see Moncada as the best amateur player available, better than any draft-eligible high school or college player, better potentially even than Yasmany Tomas, the Cuban slugger who could fetch $100 million as a free agent.

 

per the link above...

[Turd Ferguson]

I don't pretend to know much about these international rules, but if we are talking $100M, wouldn't the tax be astronomical for all teams?  At $100M, everyone would blow by the 15% threshold so everyone would be taxed at 100%.  My point being, I'd be surprised if anyone gave him $100M before the tax.

 

But again, I'm a numbskull with this stuff.

[CanadianHalo]

@JeffFletcherOCR: #Angels were not at Moncada workout today but they have seen him. Not likely to get involved.

Other than some 2nd tier type pitchers (don't like Scherzer or Lester) I just want Moncada. Like mentioned, it makes sense and this team needs more youth.

Edited November 12, 2014 by CanadianHalo

[tdawg87]

Of course not. That would be a smart move.

[tdawg87]

Also, isn't there a tax cap? Since they've already gone over the allotted amount, they can now spend as much as they want as they've already incurred the max penalty? Or are they being taxed 100% for every dollar they spend now? If it's the latter, then this team just blew their chances at making a decent signing in the next two years international drafts for a guy literally nobody knows about.

[ukyah]

Also, isn't there a tax cap? Since they've already gone over the allotted amount, they can now spend as much as they want as they've already incurred the max penalty? Or are they being taxed 100% for every dollar they spend now? If it's the latter, then this team just blew their chances at making a decent signing in the next two years international drafts for a guy literally nobody knows about.

 

 

yes, it's dollar for dollar this year, and yes they can't sign anybody else from the international market worth a shit for the next couple years.

[Turd Ferguson]

I bet if Moncada were 30 we would be all over him.

[Angel Oracle]

yes, it's dollar for dollar this year, and yes they can't sign anybody else from the international market worth a shit for the next couple years.

That's the thing with this franchise.   For the success they have had, there are times where they seem to want to stymie it themselves. 

I hope Baldoquin is worth it.

[Blarg]

That joke is beaten to death.

[Turd Ferguson]

That joke is beaten to death.

 

Well shoot, I knew I should have gone with the "Rondons" one-liner instead.  Seems to be the more accepted of the overused memes.

[Kenny]

I bet if Moncada were 30 we would be all over him.

30 on paper, 32 in reality.