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Star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is headed to MLB. Dodgers considered favorites. Again.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 9, 2024
I saw on a couple of different sites that the Cardinals are mentioned as likely to sign the #27 ranked International player, Royelny Strop (Pedro Strop’s son) and #36 ranked Kenly Hunter; both OF prospects. Would love to see them swoop in when a team signs Roki Sasaki and doesn’t have the money to sign the other players they had handshake agreements with!
Some Cuban players available to sign:
Several Cuban players were declared free agents by the MLB Commissioner's Office, per source:
LHP Naykel Cruz (25) (photo)
INF Xiam Vega (22)
LHP Renyi Membrives (20)
C John Rodriguez (16)
C Donovan Acosta (16)Cruz was a member of the Cuban National Team at the WBC 2023. pic.twitter.com/srouYWpg5i
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 26, 2024
This is one who was rumored to be signing with the Cardinals back in 2023, but it never came to be:
Cuban SS Luis Manuel León (18) officially signs with the Miami Marlins.
Highest Marlins signing bonus in the 2023-24 international period.
5-tool player.
Brother of Pedro Leon, Astros former top prospect. pic.twitter.com/LhZqEshaMG
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 23, 2024
Source: Cuban RHP Jan Cabrera (19) is in agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He passed the physical. Estimate bonus: $250K.
Cuban U-18 national team member in 2022. Fastball in the 91-94 mph range, projects two secondary pitches and great command of the strike zone. pic.twitter.com/tJf0su3CDY
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 10, 2024
With the signing window opening next week, have there been any more rumors about guys linked to the Cards, aside from those two players mentioned on BA?
It will be curious to see if the Cards (not in the Roki sweepstakes) can be strategic & scoop up a few DSL prospects from teams like the Dodgers & Padres, teams much better at identifying talent in Latin America than the Cards, but being held “hostage” waiting to Roki to decide? Just saw on BA that the Pirates scooped up one of the Dodgers top guys for the coming cycle.
Well, it looks like Pittsburgh was first to strike amidst the Roki Sasaki undertainty.
But that’s a heck of a difference in bonuses…
The Dodgers got outspent by the Pirates?? Are the Pirates trying to buy a championship? LOL
Yes, I know it is because of the Sasaki situation. Just having some fun.
This Sasaki signing could be interesting because it really won’t be determined by money. It will just come down to where he wants to play. Until a week ago I actually thought the Padres were the favorite but their ownership situation is suddenly a mess. Their former owner died a year ago and now his family is bickering and suing each other which is not good.
Oh, I think it will be determined by money, all right. Just not right away. They are all constrained now by the signing bonus. The first year will be the same but after that, some teams will pay more than others. What they give Sasaki in 2026 and beyond is fair game. So, why sign with the Pirates, for example, when they will cheap out later? That is why the King of Deferred Money Dodgers will get him, in my view. Pay him $5 million now and quietly promise him $200 million later.
Oh ok. I didn’t know the limitations were only for year one. But when Ohtani came to MLB and signed with the Angels he just went through the league minimum and arbitration process. He didn’t sign a big long term contract until free agency. Was that just a choice by the Angels? If so it was a poor decision.
The Angels could have tried to tie Ohtani up long term at any point. Maybe they made offers but he probably knew he’d get a much better deal elsewhere by waiting until FA.
If I was Sasaki, I’d sign with the Dodgers now, knowing they will do what it takes to keep me long term.
Probably will be the Dodgers or Padres. I think the Padres were looking real good until their family ownership meltdown spilled over into the public domain. Will be interesting to see if that ruined their chances or not.
I thought the signing period started tomorrow! Is this real?
Breaking news: Royel Strop, the son of former Major Leaguer Pedro Strop, a left-handed outfield prospect who hits to all sides of the field, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $1.5M and $100k in tuition. #cardinals pic.twitter.com/PozsrXjcAy
— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) January 14, 2025
Yes, it starts tomorrow. Most deals are done well in advance. There have been reports of this signing for awhile.
Here’s a post from November
Not sure if this is wishful thinking, or fact!
🚨 #BREAKING Roki Sasaki has just informed the Los Angeles #Dodgers that he plans on signing with them.
LA will now have arguably, the best rotation in MLB history.
The city of LA gets good news after a week of devastation & destruction.
— MLB Insider 🐐 (@1MLBinsider) January 14, 2025
There might be something to that tweet. Dodgers just had an international guy back out his deal with them.
All time best rotation in history and there’s a good chance not a solitary component will work 150 IP’ed.
I’m not buying.I’m curious, how did the Cardinals lose so much international bonus pool money this period?
I thought when the new CBA came out, the Cardinals were in the group that had the second-largest bonus pool, this is showing they have a smaller bonus pool than the Yankees, Cubs, Angels, Mets…
Did we lose $500,000 for signing Gray last year? I know we lost a second round pick, but pretty sure we lost International signing money as well.
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