The minor league transactions continue, even as the minor league season draws to a close. Matt Eddy of Baseball America has all the minor league news for August 19th-25th. Here are some highlights:
- The Yankees signed Tzu-Wei Lin, a 16-year-old shortstop from Taiwan, for a six-figure bonus. However, Lin may be looking to void the contract and take more money from the Twins or A’s. Lin, who stands 5’7”, has good speed and a good arm with an above-average bat.
- The Cardinals released lefty reliever Renyel Pinto after he posted a 4.78 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 7.5 BB/9 at Triple A. Memphis was not kind to Pinto or to Nate Robertson, another lefty who signed with the Cards after the Marlins released him.
The Yankees’ future captain and Derek Jeter’s eventual replacement has been signed. Look for multiple MVP’s from this kid
Mr. November Jr.
Well atleast Yankees fans are optimistic.
…you’ve GOT to be joking. Please say you are.
……. yeah lol
I wonder when those offers were made and what reason the kid’s agent had for not signing for the most money?
Maybe it’s because I’m not a baseball player but if I got offered a six figure bonus at 16 I’d crap my pants.
so is jeter getting a new contract?
How does that relate with Lin? Jeter is 20 years older, he’s going to re-sign.
Cards fans should be relived that Pinto never got a chance with them.
Yes, I am relieved.
I would love to have a highly touted shortstop in our system already! After the Cito Culver draft pick the Yankees owe it to the fans to show that Jeter’s heir is truly on the way. Twins please stay away, you already have Miguel Sano. As for the A’s I don’t ever see them investing heavily in International Free Agents. This kid would have to be seriously insane to void his contract with the Yanks.
For the “prestige” of playing for the Yankees or just that he has no better options?
Both. I could see him voiding the contract and the Yanks possibly signing him to an even bigger contract (A-Rod Status). The Yankees are desperate to load up their system with shortstops and I don’t blame them because there isn’t really anyone exciting at the position in the system.
Their system is actually better than you would think (BP and BA have them in the top 10, even above the Red Sox). Some interesting possible SS’s in Gumb (stretch but they are trying it) and Cito. I don’t see why you are so sure that this kid is a better option than Cito or any of the IFA they have signed this year.
Lets face it SS is extremely hard to fill out. The majority of those kids signed for SS will get too big or prove to not have the arm or something similar and move over to 3B or 2B…THEN if you are lucky enough to find one that can man the position well they hardly ever seem to hit well. The Redsox only have Iglesias that looks to truly be a SS.
I’d guess that of every 5 SS’s in a system only 1 or 2 will even stay there.
That’s true also. Culvur might have to move to CF, Colon the Royals draftee will likely shift to 2B. SS is hard because you have be really athletic to stay and if this kid keeps growing he could become too big for the position.
“As for the A’s I don’t ever see them investing heavily in International Free Agents.”
Ynoa.
Honestly, what makes you think this kid is better than Cito, and how do you reason that Cito was such a terrible choice before he even turned 18?
There is no way to even know who is better between Cito or this kid. For all we could know Lin could be Ichiro at SS or idk Kaz Matsui in 2010
A’s I don’t ever see them investing heavily in International Free Agents.
serious?
Just another low risk high reward guy. He will probably spend this year and most of next in rookie league and won’t sniff the majors for a while. And 16 yr olds are hard to project. Reminds me a bit of Jose Vinicio in the Sox system. But there simply isn’t enough known about the kid to have any expectations on him.
Pinto is a has-bean.
Good to see someone with the nerve to try and haggle with the Yankees. Who’s the agent, Boras’s brother?
YUP…BORAT!
What’s up Omar? I thought we were supposed to spend a lot of money on international free agents, so we don’t spend money on the draft? Seems like we just don’t spend at all.
Where do 16 year old non-latino kids play? Do they play in the Dominican leagues as well? I don’ think they are allowed to play in the US until they are or are about to turn 18 right?
I don’t think that is true. Martin Perez, from Venezuela, was pitching in A ball when he was 17 for the Rangers.
I don’t think there is an age stipulation, I think it just has to do with the timing of visas…and if clubs are ready to bring them over seas.
It makes more sense to make them prove themselves in the DSL before bringing them over to states. And if they don’t pan out in the DSL, the club hasn’t wasted money more money bringing them over to the US.
Gary Sanchez is 17 and in SI.
I still don’t understand why the Marlins released Pinto in the first place. He had solid numbers and LH relievers that throw 94-95 aren’t a dime a dozen.
Gee golly I thought only we Americans were greedy. BTW that “we’re happy with our pitching staff” pose by Cashed-in looking really sparkling. No number 28 Joe G -start chewing some Wrigley…