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