The Astros are keeping tabs on powerful Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler as he nears free agency, GM Jeff Luhnow told Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. Soler, who is represented by Praver/Shapiro, is not yet a free agent, but Luhnow has seen him and is in contact with his camp.
Baseball America ranks the Astros' farm system 17th in the game, but ESPN's Keith Law has them 27th. With 11 picks in the first ten rounds of the 2012 draft including the first overall, the Astros have MLB's second-largest allowance at $11.1777MM, according to Baseball America. BA's Jim Callis would rank Soler 43rd on their top 100, better than any Astros prospect aside from Jonathan Singleton. With the new $2.9MM international spending cap beginning with the 2012 July 2nd class, Soler represents the last chance for any team to bid eight figures for a raw international free agent.
I’m glad to see them being aggressive
Their system has really improved the last year or two.. seems like sour grapes from Law.
No it doesn’t. :)
Please let them be serious about this kid. That would send such a positive message to a fan base that needs to see something. Oh, and he might be pretty good too…
I don’t see Soler going to the Astros, Cubs, Yanks, Phillies seem to be the top bidders.
They may be right now, but the Stros do have some cash to spend…if they really think this guy is going to be good, much like the A’s did with Cespedes. He may be the only guy making any money after Wandy, Myers, and Lee are traded…but so what?!?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Astros put in a high bid, but during the whole time Cespedes was on the market it always seemed like most teams were quietly more interested in Soler. Less instant gratification but also less risk with potentially similar reward. My point being I’m betting on someone else besides the Astros willing to go all in on Soler.
Your sentence is saying this “I dont wee Soler going to any of the 4 teams I named, but a team I didnt name seems to be the top bidder”
Way to stay objective Keith Law.
Everyone seems to forget how large a Market Houston is. New ownership is just trying to wipe the slate clean. We will see what develops.
“Not gonna hire me? Fine, your farm is 27th.” *sticks tongue out*
-Keith Law
Keith Law is just mad about what I said about him on here the other day.
Let’s not pretend that Keith Law saying the Astros have the 27th best farm in baseball is meaningless. That actually does hurt the perception of the organization. If Law really does have a grudge, it will hurt Houston. He needs to be called out for things like this.
Why is everyone getting on Law? While I realize he often rubs people the wrong way, did anyone stop to think that maybe, just maybe, it’s possible that Law and Callis just have a difference in opinion about the potential of the Astro’s farm system? Why aren’t people complaining about why Callis is so high on the Astro’s?
While I realize that Law can be pretty snarky and can wear his ego on his sleave a bit, he has never struck me as the sort that would rank a farm organization low simply because they didn’t hire him.
This… As Sickels ranks the Astros 25th, I’d say that’s pretty fair by Law.
Glad to see BA put Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart and George Springer in their top 100 prospects. Not to mention the Astros brought up Jordan Lyles and Jason Castro within the last year, both of whom were also in the top 100. Add to this an overall improved farm system, which should be bolstered by the 2012 draft, and if they pick up someone like Jorge Soler, they could easily be a top 5 system soon.
Absolutely! Soler, a top pick this year, and (let’s be honest) a top pick next year. It’s not too far off, especially if they can get something for Wandy, Myers, and (sigh) Lee.
Absolutely! Soler, a top pick this year, and (let’s be honest) a top pick next year. It’s not too far off, especially if they can get something for Wandy, Myers, and (sigh) Lee.
I know this post has essentially nothing to do with the Yankees, but it is the most recent post on Jorge Soler so here goes.. Dear Mr. Cashman, I have a two dollar bet riding on you signing Soler. So please use the rest of the Burnett-trade cash to ink this guy.. my friend, an avid cubs fan, wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if you don’t. -Sincerely An Admittedly Greedy Yankees Fan