For Yankees, International Free Agency Off to a Slow Start
Yesterday marked the official beginning of the international free agent signing period, the largely unregulated Wild West of talent acquisition. Because the players are so young (usually 16) and scouts don’t always get to see them in game action, there is a lot of uncertainty about who the top talents are. Ben Badler of Baseball America posted a top 40 list here (of expected bonuses, not necessarily in order of talent), which gives of some idea of the big names out there.
Several teams made a big splash immediately, most notably the Texas Rangers. Texas came out firing, spending over $8 million on two prospects, including a record $5 million to slugging Domincan outfielder Nomar Mazara (#10 on Badler’s list) and over $3 million to another outfielder, Ronald Guzman (#2). The Mariners have also been aggressive in the early going, as they have been linked to outfielder Jose Leal for a $2 millionish bonus and RHP Victor Sanchez (#3) for a presumably large bonus as well. Seattle and Texas are two teams with established track records of success in Latin America, and the fact that they have been this aggressive thus far is certainly worthy of note.
The Yankees have been linked to a number of players on Badler’s list, but thus far, have only announced one signing, Dominican 3rd baseman Miguel Andujar (#20), who reportedly got a $750,000 bonus (video ). There aren’t extensive reports on Andujar so far, but he seems to be a solid all-around prospect with good present hitting ability and power potential, and the range and arm to stick at 3rd base. Interestingly, he worked with the same trainer as Gary Sanchez and 2010 Yankee signing Christopher Tamarez, so maybe there is a relationship there.
The Yankees have also been linked to shortstop Luis Reynoso (#13) , outfielder Manuel Marcos (#16), shortstop Yairo Munoz (#37), and RHP Roberto Osuna (#4), nephew of former Yankee (briefly) Antonio Osuna. Of the 3, Osuna would be the big prize, likely commanding a multimillion dollar bonus, while I imagine the other two would get bonuses similar to Andujar (mid-high six figures). The Yankees in recent years have been big spenders in the region, often spreading their wealth around a number of signings rather than dropping multi-millions on a single prospect (though as Gary Sanchez and Jesus Montero have demonstrated, they will drop the big bucks on the right guy).
The international signing period has extended in recent years, as age investigations have become an important part of ensuring that players are able to get a visa to enter the United States. As such, it is too early to panic that the Yankees haven’t made a big splash. Signing will likely be continued to announced over the next few weeks (and months even). But rest assured, when all’s said and done, the Yankees will likely have a nice haul of high-ceiling youngsters to add to the farm system. I’d love to see them get Osuna and some other toolsy position players, but ultimately, there’ so little information out there that there’s not much else to do other than trust the Yankees’ scouting staff.
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Today is what happens when you bring in Mo when you have a four-run lead and only two outs to finish the game two nights earlier
Had Girardi not pitched Rivera Friday night, Rivera might have had enough to save the game today. Spare me had Mo not pitched the last four games (last two vs.Milwaukee, first two vs.the Mets), he would’ve been rusty.
Girardi has been overusing Rivera all season and today is the byproduct of that. Idiot. Hopefully this isn’t a portent of things to come with Mo who gets a pass cuz he is brought in wayyy too much. Wasn’t he brought in with a 5 or 6 run lead once? I remember a game where Amaury Sanit was yanked in favor of Mo.
You are lost. yeah, the two outs he had to get two nights ago killed him.
No actually you’re lost, asshole, I could care less if it’s your blog. You wanna be nasty, I’ll send it back. Ban me if you don’t like me. And make it so unregistered people can’t post cuz anything/everything I post is your fault for allowing me to.
Why didn’t Friday night’s game and all the other games where Mo came in when the Yankees had four or more runs affect Mo today? I’m saying it did.
My point your knowitallness missed was Friday night was one more game Rivera didn’t have to come in for and Girardi’s been doing this all year with Mo. It came back to bite the Yankees today, besides Cashman being too cheap to get a veteran backup 2B/3B/SS who you know can actually play those positions competently.
Again ban me, I could care less. You’re all about the one or two sentence replies like your word is law.
You’ve yet to tell me why Hughes in 2011 not 2010-11 is the better starter than 2011 Nova. I showed Nova has more wins and a lower ERA in over 5X the starts (4X the starts after Wednesday when Hughes will do well or suck.)
Because Hughes was hurt. Why would we only consider 2011 data when we have so much more than that?
As for Mo, show me how he is overworked. Bring evidence. Because he’s on pace to have a similar workload to the last two years.
Evidence brought.
Seven appearances where the Yankees had a four-run lead and five where the Yankees had a three-run lead in the first half of the season.
That’s a pace of two dozen appearances like that.
Oh yeah, Mo’s a year older at 41.
Ten of these dozen appearances came between 3/31 (Opening Day) through 5/25 (Game #48, so not even through a third of the season.)
Now how ’bout you “bring evidence” how Hughes is gonna post 8-4 with a 4.12 ERA in his next 16 starts. Or be an ace or #2.
That isn’t evidence. The total number of appearances and innings is perfectly fine, and there has yet to be a time where Mo wasn’t available due to this “overuse.” You basically want him to rarely use Mo. Take out those appearances, and he would be on pace for 45 innings, an absurdly low number.
As for Hughes, I cant bring evidence of the future.
It isn’t evidence? Why? Cuz you say so? What’s your evidence he isn’t being overused this year? I consider a dozen games through a half-season where the lead was three or four runs going into the ninth overuse, you don’t, fine. I’d say it’s stronger evidence than a blanket “Mo pitched X innings this time last year.”
If Girardi used Mo for two dozen games where the lead was three or more runs going into the ninth, there is a distinct possibility Mo could slip up in the postseason cuz that’s as many as 24 extra IP on Mo’s regular season tally assuming he got through every ninth inning save or hold. Why increase Mo’s workload? Time to let Robertson close with a three-run lead if Mo had to save the last two games or let Robertson close so Mo can save every game of the next series.
What defines “absurdly low”? Rivera could pitch 45 innings at this point of the season if the Yankees won more games where they didn’t need him or lost more games where they didn’t use him. What then? You gonna pitch Mo X innings at the 45 IP point so he could be on or around his usual pace?
My point is Robertson has shown enough to get some save opportunities with three-run leads. The Yankees should get a reliever to enable Robertson to be that second option in those cases. I’ll make one exception to the dual-closer arrangement: if Robertson closes a three-run save and it’s a three-run save the next night, Mo comes in. So, no back to back three-run saves for Robertson under this arrangement.
You have said in so many words Hughes has the stuff to be an ace or a #2, you have projected that, so prove it.
Mo is on pace for 64 innings. Last year he had 60, the year before 66. He’s right in range.
dude Rivera blew a save, deal with it…
I’m not pissed that Mo blew a save, dude,I know it happens and will happen again and again, I’m pissed that Girardi used Mo for one more game than he should have Friday night, and many other times this season. Today’s game sealed the deal for me that Mo has been overused. I picked this game to vent.
If you don’t think Hector Noesi can get two outs before giving up four or more runs re: Friday night then WTF is Noesi doing in a Yankee uniform?
Do you really truly believe that Rivera gave up a 2 out walk because he pitched 2 nights ago?
It’s not about two nights ago only.
The 41-year old made ten appearances between 3/31 and 5/25 where the Yankees led by 3 or 4 runs going into the ninth plus save appearances after that. That’s alot of work for a guy his age.
This game happened to irk me the most partially cuz it’s the Mets. I look at the whole picture not just the last two or three games.
I think Mo can overcome Girardi’s panic-button style of ninth-inning management, but who knows?
well I respect your opinion man, but I respectfully disagree that’s all… Rivera is a closer, he never pitches more than 3 outs these days, I have no problems using him 10 times in that timespan, seems pretty standard to me… If we had Soriano/JOBA then I could see giving him extra rest but we need R&R (Robertson/Rivera) right now for close games…
So Mo should only play when there’s a 1-3 run lead? That’s crazy and the same reason why closers aré overrated
Is there someone down on the farm with a better glove than Pena? He sucks.
He literally cost the Yankees the game today.
Can the Yankees get a veteran infielder who can actually make a routine play? Oh wait, Jeter’s coming back tomorrow haha. Or is he?
I must say as much as I haven’t missed Jeter’s bat, I did miss his ability to make routine plays which Penunez (Pena + Nunez) cannot do.
When did Brian Cashman become such a cheap fuck when it comes to backup infielders? He brought back Sojo, traded for Enrique Wilson, etc. Now he’s going with the farm. Too bad Omar Vizquel is too old to back up at SS, or maybe he can still get it done.
He traded Damaso Marte for Enrique Wilson, and spent the next 4 years looking for a Lefty. Then traded more talent to reacquire Marte, who was pretty much done by then. He (rightly) concluded he’s better off not making deals for backup infielders.
Oh right that makes sense. Cuz he screwed up trading a lefty reliever for a veteran backup infielder, he should never again spend $1-2M on a backup 2B/3B/SS who you know, could actually be a competent one unlike Pena/Nunez 2011. Perhaps he should do that, and not trade farmhands for bench players hmmm?
Can Miguel Cairo still play? I swore I saw him in a game recently.
Going cheap on a backup 2B/3B/SS cost the Yankees a game today. All this “Jeter is worth one win” and “A-Rod is worth three wins” talk on here and other blogs well, Pena is worth one loss. Time to calculate how many games a guy can lose and subtract that from his wins hahaha.
your awfully angry right now being a fan of a first place team…
I’m not angry. I’m amused. Amused and shocked that you all think it’s cool for Mo to come in with four-run leads and be wasted in those games.
Oh btw, first place by only 1.5 games, and up on TB by only 4.
I wouldn’t hang the Yankees pennant highest and leave it there yet.
Rivera is not over worked. He’s pitching the same number of innings he has over the past several years. You need to understand the game of baseball better. Even with you managing the team they will not win 162 games. Even with you as GM you could not get 40 perfect players on the roster. Chill out. If any team loses a pennant race by one or two games there is NEVER only one reason why they did so.
He isn’t overworking Mo?
Mo has come into a game where the Yankees had a four-run lead SEVEN TIMES this season: 4/2, 4/24, 5/17, 5/18, 5/25, 6/10, and 7/1. That’s with Girardi being good lately. That’s also a pace of 14 games where Mo comes in with a 4 or more run lead. That’s overuse when your closer is 41 years old and a lack of faith in your bullpen Girardi shows without warning.
Mo has been brought in with a three-run lead five times: 3/31, 4/13, 4/16, 5/1, and 5/6. Did he have to come in for EVERY three-run save for the first month-plus?
I’m pointing out that today is a byproduct of that overuse. You don’t think it is, fine.
I’m not asking for perfection, I am asking Girardi to “chill out” bringing in Mo at the slightest bit of danger.
Bringing in Mo in non-save situations is evidence of overworking him? That defies logic!
How does that defy logic?
The idea of a closer, to me, is to keep the number of appearances where it isn’t a save situation or it’s a three-run save as low as possible if it can’t be zero.
I believe in having two closers: one for the one-run and two-run games (the primary closer), one for the three-run saves and non-save situations (the secondary closer.) It preserves the primary closer and grooms the secondary closer to be his heir. It also puts the secondary closer in a steady routine which will only benefit him if he has to be the primary closer. I would love to see Rivera-Robertson be the primary closer-secondary closer under this arrangement and if the Yankees acquire a reliever good enough to allow the Yankees to try that, I think it can and should be done. This wouldn’t endanger Mo breaking the all-time saves record cuz he needs only 21 more saves to break it. If the Yankees had to save 21 more games from hereonin where Robertson closed 8 of them cuz they were three-run saves, Mo would most likely collect the other 13 and would need only 8 to break the record next year. A nice more important byproduct of this is Mo is preserved for the 2011 postseason.
‘Say Mo has to close the first two games of the 8/1-4 series at the Chi-Sox. The Yankees lose the 8/3 game but win the 8/4 game 5-2 where Robertson comes in for the three-run save. Guess what? Mo is available to close all three games at Fenway cuz he had two days off. You can make an exception and pitch him up 6-1 with one out in the ninth if you are really that scared of the Red Sox. You avoid him having to come in for the last game of the Chi-Sox series and all three games at Fenway for four straight appearances.
Hold on!! You blame Giradi for over using a 41 yo reliever by using him twice in 3 days, and now you propose using him in 3 straight games? That is certainly not logical.
Wrong. I blame Girardi for using Mo for as many as a dozen games through the first half of the season where the lead was three or more runs. That’s alot of games where Robertson or Soriano or Chamberlain could’ve come in and by come in I’ll even amend my rules where it could be Chamberlain coming in for the first out of the ninth if he finished the eighth strong, or Logan faces a lefty to begin the ninth. This Mo starts the ninth rule is too rigid. That’s another thing that bugs me. You don’t ALWAYS have to have Mo pitch all of the ninth. If Robertson strikes out the side in the 8th, bring him out for at least the first batter in the 9th.
I’m not against Mo coming in for three straight games. I’m against him coming in for three straight games where the lead is four or more runs in the third game of the set with the exception of games vs. the Red Sox and Rays, the two biggest threats to the Yankees not making the postseason this year.
‘Say the Yankees drop the first game vs. the Chi-Sox 8/1 then win the next two 2-1 and 3-1 where Mo closes both games. The Yankees lead the final game of the series 4-1. I want Robertson to close it. Why? Cuz it gives Mo a night off and sets him up to close all three games at Fenway if need be. Now of course, that could be as many as 5 saves in 6 games, but at least Mo gets a break. If the Yankees are up by three runs in one of these games, I’d even give the ball to Robertson with a three-run lead in one of these games and if he can get only two outs, bring in Mo for the final one and a potential one-pitch save.
I’m all about preserving Mo for the postseason, not bringing him in every time Girardi panics like he panicked Friday night. Mo comes in to get two outs up four runs. Ridiculous!
My last post, because I give up. Read your opening post! Your statements are all over the place. Finally, you do not “save” someone for the post season at this point in the regular season.
Looks like the Rangers have taken the money they would have spent on the domestic draft and plowed in into the IFA market. Remains to be seen if its well spent or not. The Yanks set an IFA record signing Willy Mo Pena. The A’s set another one signing Inoa, who’s been hurt ever since. Lately, the Yanks seem to like getting lots of 750K-1.5 mil types as opposed to blowing the whole budget on one guy. There system is loaded with good IFAs, so they seem to know what they’re doing.
Yup, I trust the Yankees’ track record when it comes to the IFA market. They’re one of the teams (along with Atlanta, Seattle, and a few others) who have had enough consistent success at finding impact players for me to not second-guess their decision making.
It’s the idea of not putting all your eggs into one basket. When the Yanks think a guy has exceptional talent, ala Montero or Sanchez, they’re willing to go heavy, but its usually a better bet, almost a D&F scenario, to spend a like amount of money to get four or five high upside guys and see who pans out in the DSL. Some of our better Latin American prospects over the last few years, including Banuelos, Cano and Nunez were second tier prospects, well-regarded but not in the class of Inoa or Montero or even Guzman.
Phil C by your logic Mo should come in for non-save situations, too. That’s ridiculous and season-threatening.
You have to conserve (I meant to say conserve) Mo for the postseason because that’s what this season is really about – ask Jeter.
That means you don’t bring in Mo when you have a four-run lead. The closer comes in with a lead of three runs or less. If possible, you bring in someone else to close the three-run lead games sometimes or all the time depending on the pitcher. I think Robertson has the stuff, makeup, talent, and pitches to be that guy.
I’m not giving up, that was my point you denseheads missed, and I’m not repeating it. You can’t even discuss the pros and cons of a primary closer-secondary closer like I proposed the Yankees should try if they get a reliever who can free up Robertson to be the secondary closer. Instead you all wanna play the typical “You’re wrong, I’m right” and be smarmy about it game. I’m not playing it. Bye.
So, those international prospects ehh. Does anyone know the velocity on Roberto Osuna?
It’s in the 94-96 range in his first game in LMB
Wow. So he’s a legit power pitcher.
At his LMB debut he struck out two and topped 94 Mph in 1 Ip. Osuna Is the youngest of the league so yeah he is a nice project.