International Free Agent Market (January 2025)

[biedergb]

How does the posting process work - I read how the dollar amount is calculated for the transfer fee and that it counts against the international pool budget.

But can the player select the team, or are they obligated to the highest amount.

And is the contract a 1-year deal, or does it have to be multi-year?

What I am truly asking, is the do the Brewers truly have a shot, or does the player have all the say, and by factoring in advertising/merchandising will they automatically choose LA/NY/Bos/SD, even if the contract is smaller due to international free agent pool limitations?

[BrewerFan]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:18 AM, jay87shot said:

I would give up all those guys and the negative feelings to get Sasaki, Yomamoto cost almost $300 million. To get an ace potentially at 25 with 6 years control is worth so much especially if you consider we would likely get the cheapest 4 years of control and then trade him for like 4-6 huge prospects. I think we can still sign guys to like 10k without counting against the pool so we could keep some and maybe add a few cheap adds. In reality we really don't have to worry about Sasaki coming here unless Nori Aoki is his uncle or something.

Or...we just give up our next 2 first rd picks and paid a big fine?

Probably better than ruining out relationships.

This kid would likely be our #1 next year. If he'll come, you have to take that deal.

 

Quote

@biedergb How does the posting process work - I read how the dollar amount is calculated for the transfer fee and that it counts against the international pool budget.

But can the player select the team, or are they obligated to the highest amount.

And is the contract a 1-year deal, or does it have to be multi-year?

What I am truly asking, is the do the Brewers truly have a shot, or does the player have all the say, and by factoring in advertising/merchandising will they automatically choose LA/NY/Bos/SD, even if the contract is smaller due to international free agent pool limitations?

The dollar amount is 20% of the total guarantee. I don't think that comes out of the bonus pool, but I don't know.

The player does select the team.

It's just a signing bonus and then 6 years of team control.

The Brewers do have a shot. His agent speculated the Brewers may have a better shot as he's had negative experiences with the media and he doesn't want to go to a large market. We have the most money.

 

Everyone is talking about going after him. Arnold is not so much, but we don't talk about much before it happens. I think he could be as significant a signing as any Wisconsin sports team has ever made outside of #92 in GB and maybe Woodson?

[brewmann04]

I still think a big market team signs him.  

[BrewerFan]

On 12/21/2024 at 10:51 PM, brewmann04 said:

I still think a big market team signs him.  

His agent has said he'd like to go to a small market team and that may give the Brewers an advantage.

He caught a lot of heat from the Japanese media for wanting to come over here so early, he doesn't like the media. He prefers a quiet market(but he also hasn't really spoken in depth about his decision yet). 

 

So sure, I'd guess SD or Seattle based on that, but...it'd be pretty cool. And I'd think you could rebuild those relationships. I mean, whoever signs him, they'll presumably be in the same position.

[Brian]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:18 AM, jay87shot said:

I would give up all those guys and the negative feelings to get Sasaki, Yomamoto cost almost $300 million. To get an ace potentially at 25 with 6 years control is worth so much especially if you consider we would likely get the cheapest 4 years of control and then trade him for like 4-6 huge prospects. I think we can still sign guys to like 10k without counting against the pool so we could keep some and maybe add a few cheap adds. In reality we really don't have to worry about Sasaki coming here unless Nori Aoki is his uncle or something.

https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/news/roki-sasaki-s-teammate-expects-him-to-join-dodgers-01jce1pd0ywk

[biedergb]

The dominos are starting to fall, as it is almost a certainty that LA signs Sasaki. The Dodgers IFA prospective signees will be available for others to have. Looks like the Pirates have started first (or at least first reported that I have seen so far):

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/pirates-to-sign-dodgers-committed-intl-prospect-darell-morel.html

[Spencer Michaelis]

On 12/16/2024 at 2:56 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

Brew Crew once again have 3 players in Baseball America's Top 50 International  Prospects Bonus Board. Will post tidbits later (feel free to beat me to it).

On 12/2/2024 at 10:37 AM, Spencer Michaelis said:

Isais Chavez -- Has some video of his swings on TikTok, not sure what position he plays, but looks catcher-ish.

T100 bonus board came out today. Only one more Brewer added to the list at #89 in Isaias Chavez, who should be receiving around $500k in his signing bonus. Confirmed to be a catcher. He is described as having a "plus arm" and it says, "his blocking and receiving are good for his age, as well"

[Jake McKibbin]

5 minutes ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

 

BA mentioned good receiving skills and a plus arm 👀 yet another strong defensive pickup in the international draft perhaps?

 

[Spencer Michaelis]

1 minute ago, Jake McKibbin said:

BA mentioned good receiving skills and a plus arm 👀 yet another strong defensive pickup in the international draft perhaps?

 

Yeah, I screwed up and accidentally posted before I actually typed out my message there lol, but definitely sounds like a guy in the Luis Corobo, or in the most ideal world, the Jeferson Quero mold.

[Jake McKibbin]

I am a little surprised not to see more Brewers players in the 50-100 range given the size of their bonus pool and lack of top end (ie top 30) spend. I wonder if this might be a really large class overall with a really spread out bonus pool, even more than usual 

[Spencer Michaelis]

33 minutes ago, Jake McKibbin said:

I am a little surprised not to see more Brewers players in the 50-100 range given the size of their bonus pool and lack of top end (ie top 30) spend. I wonder if this might be a really large class overall with a really spread out bonus pool, even more than usual 

Had the same thought. Wonder if there are a chunk of $250k-ish players.

I was able to track down around 30 names, and that's just off social media digging, so I'm definitely assuming it'll be a pretty big class. Pitchers tend to be the ones that are harder to find pre-signing and often very cheap.

[Jake McKibbin]

6 minutes ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

Had the same thought. Wonder if there are a chunk of $250k-ish players.

I was able to track down around 30 names, and that's just off social media digging, so I'm definitely assuming it'll be a pretty big class. Pitchers tend to be the ones that are harder to find pre-signing and often very cheap.

Certainly can't slate taking a direction that's worked so well in previous years, it'll be intriguing if that means being more cutthroat with second year players in the DSL to make room going forwards, and get regular playing time for the younger class

[Joseph Zarr]

29 minutes ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

Had the same thought. Wonder if there are a chunk of $250k-ish players.

I was able to track down around 30 names, and that's just off social media digging, so I'm definitely assuming it'll be a pretty big class. Pitchers tend to be the ones that are harder to find pre-signing and often very cheap.

Yup. I was going the other route when I saw the numbers. 

I thought to muhself: "Welp, looks like a large class with a bevy of guys in that $10-30K range." Hopefully, as you mention there, there's a 'chunk of $250k-ish players'!

[CheeseheadInQC]

1 hour ago, Jake McKibbin said:

I am a little surprised not to see more Brewers players in the 50-100 range given the size of their bonus pool and lack of top end (ie top 30) spend. I wonder if this might be a really large class overall with a really spread out bonus pool, even more than usual 

Maybe I am wrong because I couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but I think last year they only had four $500K or higher as well, with Joandrew Pena getting $500K. Handelfry Encarnacion was next on the list I could find at $400K.

[Joseph Zarr]

If I remember correctly, the Brewers fell in that top $7,550,500 tier, correct?

[snoogans8056]

Also it should be noted that BA openly admits to not seeing all these guys. Their rankings are strictly based on bonus amount, not talent.

We seem to be very good at getting big talent signed for cheap. So don’t go freaking out that we didn’t get a top 20 guy.

[wiguy94]

3 hours ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

T100 bonus board came out today. Only one more Brewer added to the list at #89 in Isaias Chavez, who should be receiving around $500k in his signing bonus. Confirmed to be a catcher. He is described as having a "plus arm" and it says, "his blocking and receiving are good for his age, as well"

Does Baseball America just sort by bonus payments? I thought I read that somewhere but maybe I just made that up lol

[snoogans8056]

3 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Does Baseball America just sort by bonus payments? I thought I read that somewhere but maybe I just made that up lol

Yes. The reasoning is that some of these guys they only saw as 14 year olds (or not at all) and it wouldn’t be fair to rank everyone on talent if they don’t know. So they go by bonus.

They do add the “rising” designation to guys they’ve heard buzz on though.

[Joseph Zarr]

These early bits are indeed simply classified by Bonus allotment. They parse it out into categories within that - ie bonus money tiers. But, the bread n' butter after the class is officially signed and announced is their International class reviews for each organization. There were so many good nuggets in last year's class review. I'm hoping for more of the same.

[Jake McKibbin]

Jorge Quintana had an up arrow last year, this year we've got it for Brailyn Antuñez it seems! They seem to like him for the bat speed, rangey speed and a plus arm with a good feel for spin and hitting in general

Always exciting to see a player (however young) present a variety of tools

[Joseph Zarr]

5 minutes ago, Jake McKibbin said:

Jorge Quintana had an up arrow last year, this year we've got it for Brailyn Antuñez it seems! They seem to like him for the bat speed, rangey speed and a plus arm with a good feel for spin and hitting in general

Always exciting to see a player (however young) present a variety of tools

Artunez is an extremely intriguing player. The Up arrow definitely adds to the early portion of prospect hope. I mean, the simply leading phrase in his overall early description by BA:

Quote

On talent, Antunez has a case as the top prospect from Venezuela for 2025 and one of the top overall prospects in the class.

Certainly doesn't make one depressed!😅

[Joseph Zarr]

This Artunez clip, btw, was posted back in September via MLB:

The Brewers going back to the Chourio fountain of youth. The young man is chiseled and just looks like an absurdly fluid and natural athlete. His swing and his trot and his general physical make-up truly indicate he might be a 'freak' (in the best way).

GO PRO BASEBALL (@goprobaseball) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

230 likes, 0 comments - goprobaseball on July 23, 2024: "Braylin Antúnez, Calentando motores Rumbo al Mundial 🔥🙏".

 

[SF70]

With the team’s SOTA Dominican Academy, scouting system and contacts, I’m expecting another top class, maybe not the BIB like last years class, but up there with anybody’s. 

Like them signing athletic, power-hitting OF’s with their top 2 bonus picks, just what the farm needs for balance.

[Spencer Michaelis]

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

This Artunez clip, btw, was posted back in September via MLB:

The Brewers going back to the Chourio fountain of youth. The young man is chiseled and just looks like an absurdly fluid and natural athlete. His swing and his trot and his general physical make-up truly indicate he might be a 'freak' (in the best way).

GO PRO BASEBALL (@goprobaseball) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

230 likes, 0 comments - goprobaseball on July 23, 2024: "Braylin Antúnez, Calentando motores Rumbo al Mundial 🔥data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==🙏data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==".

 

Some extra video of Antunez from Curt Hogg, that got buried a bit, because he was locked out of Twitter at the time, and only ever posted it on BlueSky. I've said it in here before, but I think he's the prize in this class. The other two big bonuses definitely have fun profiles, but Antunez just looks like a dude in every video I see.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

Some extra video of Antunez from Curt Hogg, that got buried a bit, because he was locked out of Twitter at the time, and only ever posted it on BlueSky. I've said it in here before, but I think he's the prize in this class. The other two big bonuses definitely have fun profiles, but Antunez just looks like a dude in every video I see.

Yeah, everything I've seen with him in it? He jumps off the screen. Whether it's watching him play baseball or handling himself in interviews (all Spanish at present). He is ridiculously impressive. I can't get over the physical transformation that has happened in just that past calendar year. If you see what he's done with an already impressive physical stature from last January until now? He looks like a college Junior/Senior.