Nineteen-year-old outfielder Luis Robert is the top international talent that is available on the amateur market and, after recently being declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, has already begun hosting private workouts with interested teams, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. The Athletics hosted a workout for Robert last Friday that was attended by GM David Forst, according to Badler, and Reds GM Dick Williams was on hand to watch him this past Tuesday in a workout. Prior to that, he’d worked out for the Astros, Badler adds.
Badler notes that Robert’s camp is also expected to set up private workouts with the Padres, Cardinals and White Sox in the coming weeks. It seems that of those three clubs, the heavy-spending Padres are up first, as Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union Tribune reports (via Twitter) that Robert will work out with the Pads tomorrow. To this point, the Padres have paced all 30 teams in terms of international spending during the current signing period, as their total investment (including luxury tax penalties for shattering their allotted bonus pool) is in the vicinity of $80MM.
The willingness to spend at such an aggressive level may be key for any club that wishes to sign Robert, as FanRag’s Jon Heyman writes in his latest Inside Baseball column that one source who closely follows the international market believes Robert already has a $25MM offer “in hand,” though Heyman notes that others have suggested to him no offers have been made to this point. There could, of course, be some semantics at play there in terms of what constitutes a formal offer. A price tag in the vicinity of $25MM for Robert would come with a 100 percent luxury tax attached to it, meaning he’d cost any team that signed him at that rate a total of roughly $50MM.
As Badler writes, though Robert has been declared a free agent, he won’t formally be cleared to sign until May 20. In the interim, he’ll host at least one more open showcase for teams, in addition to the remaining private workouts his camp will orchestrate.
It’s worth noting that of the teams linked to Robert, only the White Sox have yet to exceed their current international bonus pool. In other words, while other clubs would essentially only be parting with money in order to sign Robert, the ChiSox would need to determine if Robert is worth handcuffing themselves in each of the next two international signing periods; should the Sox decide to exceed their pool in the eleventh hour — the current signing period ends on June 15 — they’d be unable to sign any individual player for more than $300K in either the 2017-18 or 2018-19 signing periods.
In a similar vein, teams that are still in the metaphorical “penalty box” for crushing their allotted pools in previous signing periods won’t be able to compete for Robert’s services, as they’re each capped at that same $300K figure on individual signings. That eliminates the Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Blue Jays, Rays, Royals and Diamondbacks from serving as serious competition in the Robert market.
Though Robert is just 19 years of age, he’d already blossomed into a star, hitting a ridiculous .401/.526/.687 with 12 homers, 12 doubles, a pair of triples and 11 steals over the life of 53 games (232 plate appearances) in his final pro season in the Cuban National Series. Scouting reports on Robert note that he’s capable of playing center field right now, though he may ultimately wind up in a corner. Badler has previously written that both his bat speed and raw power are plus, and Heyman’s above-linked piece offers a number of favorable reviews of Robert’s skill set. Additionally, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez has previously spoken to a number of international scouting directors who have heaped praise onto Robert, calling him the game’s best international prospect behind Japanese phenom Shohei Otani and labeling him one of the most talented young players on the planet.
Sure wish that the Orioles were in on a few of these kids. Don’t know what is up with Angelos not allowing the team to sign any of them.
I have thought the same thing. They should dump Jimenez to free up some money, then go after this kid. Would be a huge asset to the team.
In the event the Orioles were to dump (DFA) Ubaldo Jimenez, Baltimore would still be on the hook for the remaining prorated amount of his remaining 2017 contract of $13.5MM minus the same prorated amount of the MLB minimum his new team would be responsible for. That difference would hardly make a dent in Luis Robert’s expected international free agent signing bonus.
The Orioles should go after him. They don’t have many OF prospects in their system so it would make a lot of sense. By the time he is able to play on the major league team, Jones will be ready to move to a corner OF spot.
Everyone *should* go after him. He’s an elite prospect. He’s a perfect fit on every team
Why doesn’t he put on a 30 team workout? Sounds like a time saving thing to do.
Robert already has.. The individual teams want to see him privately also.
Future Padre great
Its my understanding from SD sports radio that Seidler and Fowler will be in attendance for the Robert workout tomorrow. That’s not typical for these types of workouts, but at $50 million out of their pockets to sign him, I guess they want to know what they might be spending it on.
I have never heard of that happening. Angelos certainly wouldn’t show up at a prospects workout.
I would be extremely surprised if Robert really gets 25 million (and the penalty after). I believe this is being leaked right before padres workout as they (his agent) knows how aggressive padres have been spending money in IFA. My guess is he will get around 15 million (and it will cost team another 15 million in penalties)
As a Padre fan, I hope that Seidler and Fowler are good judges of talent. I realize that they are the ones signing the cheque, but I hope that they are not making the decision on whether to sign him. Let Preller and Co. make the case for the signing and if Seidler and Fowler don’t want to make that kind of investment, then don’t. Too many times in the past, when you see ownership start making personal decisions, things go a wry. $30-50M is a lot of money for a 19 year old, but with a lot of dead money coming off the books next year, this signing could be “paid” for in a year or so.
I don’t think that’s it at all. What they are probably there for is to see where their money is going and to see what all the hype is about. I’m sure Preller and Kemp have given them the lowdown and they are just interested parties. Nice to have an ownership that would do that.
I’m hoping that is all they are there for. There is a lot of talk that “Prellerpalooza” was orchastrated by upper management, now that Preller and Co. seem to have things going in the right direction, I would hate to see the owners start making the personal decisions. Don’t get me wrong, the owners have to sign the cheque, I just hope they are there to show Robert how much interest the Padres have in him and not there “calling the shots”. I guess either way, as long as Robert signs with the Padres I will be happy, but I hope that the ownership ois now trusting Preller and Co. fully to make these kinds of decisions.
I dont see the Giants on the list of non-eligible teams to sign from this international class (at least in this article) perhaps he may be a long term solution to the Giants OF troubles? Any thoughts on how close he may be to playing at the MLB level?
Giants spent too much money on what they got in the field
Just bc you won 3 World Series in 7 years… doesn’t mean you got cash to throw around like the Yankees or doyuers
Giants are currently valued at 2.65B to the Dodgers 2.75B, according to Forbes, not to mention their primary owner is the richest in the sport. But it doesn’t matter because I think the author left them off the list of team restricted from signing international FA for more than 300k right now.
Doesn’t mean they haven’t spent a lot of money
That 2.6, how much of that is money not paid to them yet via tv deal? Eh?
I thought Ted Lerner was the richest.
Owner? Nah
There are richer
He’s still very much multiple years away, he will probably finish next year in High A ball and I could very well see the team that signs him this year choose to ease his way into SS/AZL and then have him start next year in low A ball. Fair ETA is probably late 2019 unless he is even better than expected
He will likely immediately go to high A ball according to Badler. That would put him in the majors early in 2019 at the latest. You really need to read and watch the stuff Badler has reported about him on Baseball America.
You’re assuming a lot with that statement. Depending on which club signs him, they may take it slow and send him to a short season league since the kid may tire in a full season one immediately. But to say he would be in the majors in early 2019 “at the latest” is ridiculous. You can’t put a solid timeframe on that! He will have to learn to make adjustments like everyone else in the minors. Some do and make it; some don’t and fizzle. Just because he’s a phenom now doesn’t mean he will pan out. A look at every organization’s farm system, previous drafts, etc will show you loads of “prospects” that never made it. And you can’t put all your eggs in the Badler basket. He’s just guessing like everyone else is.
Nobody is sending him directly to high A ball this year. He hasn’t played in real live games in awhile. Nobody is rushing such a big investment. Especially a team like white Sox/Padres/reds who aren’t close to contention. To suggest that he’ll make majors in early 2019 at latest is indeed ridiculous. It takes many international talents awhile to get used to cold weather. He could very well struggle early
Come on White Sox! It would be like getting the #1 pick on the draft. Is there anyway possible that the White Sox can get him and the guy from Japan?
Almost certainly not. Assuming Otani comes over next year, the only way the White Sox could get them both is if he’s willing to take a 300k bonus. If he cares that little about the money, there are probably other teams more attractive to him. If the White Sox miss out on Robert, they’re in a good position to offer Otani the most money next offseason, however.
Except next offseason the new international amatuer rules will go into affect, severely limiting how much the white Sox and other teams can offer
Yes, but with nothing major lined up for the J2 period, and not being restricted, the White sox will have their entire pool plus whatever they can acquire to throw at Otani. Though other teams that traditionally stay out of the J2 market like the Orioles and Pirates will probably be in on Otani as well.
Except teams will still be penalized for going over. Teams who went over this signing period and the ones that went will be penalized for the second year like the Cubs.
Not likely since the team that signs Robert is most likely going to be restricted in funds for Otani
It’s been more than a decade since the White Sox have signed a Japanese player although they were reportedly among the 5 finalists for Masahiro Tanaka back in 2014. They have had better luck with Cubans in the international FA market with Alexei Ramirez and Jose Abreu, as well as acquiring Yoan Moncada in the Chris Sale trade.
In addition, it’s uncertain whether Japanese phenom Shohei Otani will be a pitcher or outfielder in MLB. Luis Robert is exclusively a 5-tool OF, something the White Sox desperately need in their organization. The White Sox already have a surplus of young pitchers and prospects as they continue their rebuild. They would be wiser to prioritize signing Roberts in the coming weeks.
I will be amazed the day I see the Mets go after a top name like this. Truly remarkable how they never even seem to attempt to get one of these guys. I guess kaz matsui and shinjo did them in.
Yes-and I would be amazed to see the Rockies come up with the bucks to sign a top tier IFA. I can’t think of them ever doing that. Robert would thrive at Coors Field. The Rox do have great fans and solid support.
why on earth are they paying prospects 50 million? This is insane. You can get better value on the free agent market.
Most free agents aren’t 19 years old.
According to White Sox MLB.com beat writer Scott Merkin from his Q & A inbox on April 27th: Robert is working out for the White Sox this week, with executive vice president Ken Williams and Hahn in attendance. The team clearly has interest, and ultimately these sorts of situations come down to the most lucrative offer. The 19-year-old probably won’t be Major League ready until 2020…
Kenny Williams wants to see if the guy can also play football. Loves those multisport athletes.
Or if he can leap out of a pool or over a car… Yeah, Glad that Hahn has more influence over team decisions than he has in years past.
FYI-After Kenny Williams relinquished the GM role to Rick Hahn one of his first recruits in his new role of Executive VP was Cuban international FA Jose Abreu who signed with the White Sox in October of 2013. Abreu had plenty of other suitors, just like Luis Robert. Abreu was hardly signed because of his elite athleticism or football/basketball acumen. Robert seemingly possesses the former trait but not the latter.
Btw-A chief reason for Williams handing over the reigns to Hahn was so he could concentrate on and return to first love in baseball: scouting. He was front and center in the pursuit of Abreu as well as another international FA the White Sox missed out on later that same offseason, Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka…yet another player not known for his elite athleticism or football/basketball ability.
The White Sox also had what was considered to be a fine draft last June. It was not loaded with multi-sport athletes like in years past. Aside from their usual splash with college arms, the organization concentrated on position players who were most known for their baseball ability.
That’s not to say that Kenny Williams and the organization still don’t draft multi-sport athletes. One of their top pitching prospects is Spencer Adams who was a high school basketball star in Georgia in addition to being a top pitcher. He was drafted in the second round of the 2014 draft.
Of course, SS Tim Anderson has already graduated to the big league club. He didn’t even concentrate on baseball until his junior year of high school where he was a standout basketball player who led his team to a state championship in Alabama. Anderson was the White Sox #1 pick in the 2013 Rule 4 draft after spending two years playing baseball for a community college in Mississippi, the only school that had offered him a baseball scholarship.
Tough crowd on these comment boards, getting a thumbs down for simply passing on information from the White Sox MLB.com beat writer that was pertinent to the article. Somebody here would apparently like to “shoot the messenger”. lol
Hopefully White Sox sign Luis Robert imagine him in the 2020 White Sox line up with Yoan Moncada , Tim Anderson , Zac Collins and also Alexander Luis Basabe thats a pretty good line up
Can you imagine a 2017 lineup of Blake Swihart, Raul Mondesi, Jorge Soler, and Alex Jackson? That’s pretty good. Of course with other players too.
Of course with other players too
What, with other players too?! !
No, a lineup “that good” must play with no other players. It just wouldn’t be fair otherwise. Kinda like the King and His Court…..
I was thinking of a Bugs Bunny scenario, with Moncada and Collins playing all 9 positions between them. I’d buy a ticket to that.
I kinda like lineup of Robert, delvin Perez, aledymis diaz , Magnus Sierra, Harrison bader and Edmundo Sosa better, plus others of course
Forgot about Jose Adolis Garcia
It’s ridiculous how baseball handles international free agent signings. There are better American prospects, but because this kid wasn’t born in the US, he can get $25M while other guys get $6 or $7M and then play for the minimum for four years before arbitration kicks in? There needs to be an international draft and I think draft picks ought to be tradeable assets like they are in basketball and football.
I agree.
I agree
Why I never hear the Mets on these international players?
Lol are you not familiar with the Mets
Guess the phillies have no interest, surprise.
I would check him out if i was the Phillies scouts. They are still scared after the whole Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez thing.didn’t pan out.
Reds need this guy. They have a good history with signing good Cuban FA.
No matter who signs Robert the next 3 weeks will be interesting to have a FA competition for a top prospect in season. Good for baseball imo
Roberts over Otani. Ages are always suspect out of Cuba so instead you focus on what they’ve done as a professional. Can Roberts be a Sept 4th OF callup? You bet! While CF is proving to be a healthy competition, if they are contending you want a lively at bat that won’t hurt you defensively to come off the bench. Roberts is that guy.
There’s no reason to think this team can’t reach 30 wins by the first week of June, so the needle is moving from reluctant rebuild to reluctant contender. That means helping the team in any way that doesn’t cost future prospects. Roberts is that move. No one expected Avasil Garcia to go from barely ML to MVP contender & the team has to capitalize on that.
He’s been a Godsend in that every player in the organization has to be wanting to know what he’s eating & doing. They all want to know how he lost the 20 pds & made the transformation. Avi’s all Kenny so his cred has gotten a big boost. His consistency has seemingly lit a flame under the big bats in the lineup too.
Kid’s gonna look great in a Cardinal uniform.
Agreed
Who wouldn’t my friend; it’s the most beautiful uniform in all professional sports. More to your point though; StL signed a 1.5 billion contract with Fox MW and now has the kind of money it takes to sign players that were formerly cost prohibitive.