Questions about Internat'l Signings and bonus pools

[Snuffy]

(I intended to post this on the 2017 International Signings thread, then the 2018 thread, but both threads have been timed out and closed.)

Thank you for posts about Astros International signings.  Who knew your 2017 footnote that would loom large in 2019! 

BA is in the process of recapping the international signings that took place in calendar year 2016. In that process, they just published a list of the Top 50 International Signings in terms of signing bonus. The Astros had 5 signings on that list-- LHP Cionel Perez (T13), ..... You can of course add to that OF/1B Yordan Alvarez (T13), signed by the Dodgers but then quickly flipped to that Astros for Josh Fields.

How long have International signings been so significant, in terms of $$ spent, and regulated (with penalties)?
Why were the Dodgers' largest international signings not shown in the BA list?
What determines which signings are subject to tax money on international prospects subject to the bonus pools?

Most grateful for your focus is on the Astros, but your insights would be appreciated on what happened with the 2016 Dodgers signings. (2nd post.)

[Snuffy]

I know you know this stuff, Nate.  But I can't imagine you investing added time on other teams and curiosity prevailed.  What was the fallout for the lackluster 2016 production, as well as the the quick Alvarez trade decision, led to Dodgers 2015-2016 international signing period (known bonuses) - The top six signings, totaled $44.1 mil:

RHP Yadier Alvarez, 19, Cuba, 4 scouts listed, $16.0 mil – current status: on 40-man roster, minor career - 9-13 in 56 games, 210 IP,  w/ a 4.02 ERA; pitched 2 games (3.2 innings) in AA so far during 2019.

OF Yusniel Diaz, 18, Cuba, no scouts listed, $15.5 mil – current status: Orioles (minors) part of the "rental" of Machado.

2B Omar Estevez, 17, Cuba, no scouts listed, $6.0 mil – current status: Tex AAA, career .268 w/ 30 HR and 204 RBI in 401 games.

OF Starling Heredia, 16,   DR, 3 scouts listed, $2.6 mil – current status: RC A(Adv) league. career .250  w/ 24 HR, 125 RBI in 228 games.

IF Yordan Alvarez, 19, Cuba, no scouts listed, $2.0 mil – current status: on Astros 40-man roster 4 HR in 6 games!.

IF Ronny Brito, 16, DR, 3 scouts listed, $2.0 mil – current status: Jays (minors) – part of trade for 36-yr-old C Russell Martin.

Scouting impact: Curious as how the Cuban players were scouted.  It appears that only one of the four Cuban players is the top six signing was scouted.    (No scouts were listed for Yordan or the other two Cubas in the top six.)    How does that work?

Trade bait: The other three of the top six were traded: Diaz ($15.5 mil) to the O's as part of the Machado rental - later signed by the Padres; Yordan ($2 mil) to the 'Stros for Josh Fields; and Brito ($2 mil) to the Jays as part of the trade for C Russell Martin.  Total $19.5 mil b/f taxes.

After they had "....invested around $97 million between signing bonuses and tax money on international prospects subject to the bonus pools", the Dodgers cleaned house.

Are other teams as spending so much money while being willing to trade costly international players to meet short-term needs?
What determines the pool amount for each team?

Thank you, Nate!
Snuff