The Rangers are now considered the favorite in the pursuit of Cuban prospect Julio Pablo Martinez, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (via Twitter). Martinez is not technically eligible to put pen to paper until March 6th, but it seems the Texas organization is working to line up a deal once he can formally sign.
Martinez, 21, will likely command a $2.7MM to $2.8MM bonus, according to the report. That’s a far sight shy of what similarly situated young players have earned in recent years, though that’s a reflection of newly restrictive signing rules (which place a hard cap on total bonus spending) rather than Martinez’s promise as a player.
The Rangers did not seem to have quite that much pool availability when last we checked, though it is always difficult to keep close tabs on international expenditures. Evidently, the Texas organization had more to work with than we realized, and also acquired an additional $350K just days ago, immediately sparking indications that the move was designed to facilitate the acquisition of Martinez.
Given that we’re still weeks away from Martinez even being able to sign, it seems reasonable to expect that we’ll have to wait to learn of his destination with any real certainty. But from the tenor of tonight’s report and the recent swap, all signs are that Texas is indeed set to land Martinez. That said, the Yankees and Marlins have also been closely tied to the talented youngster (by Ben Badler of Baseball America). He may be a year or two away from the majors, but that’s closer than most amateurs. And Martinez is said to possess an enticing blend of speed and power.
This would be a great pick up by the Rangers. His anticipated timeline to the majors would line up perfectly for when Texas will be moving into their new ballpark.
Unfortunately, they’ll have likely lost Andrus by then and will have wasted a ton of cheap control over their current young nucleus. But based on the pitching staff they’ve put together for this season, they don’t seem too bothered by that — or other trivial things like results or their fans.
Your sarcasm definitely made me lol
The Braves. How is Teixiera working out for you? Lol
Andrus? Hah. Elvis hasn’t exactly played up for his huge contract until last season. So, your team can have him they want to invest big money in a guy who could easily revert to a .250ish hitter.
Another new ballpark? SMH
I don’t like the idea of a new ballpark either but this one’s got air conditioning, so players and fans alike won’t be melting in the Texas sun anymore.
There have been countless injuries and deaths caused by the inept engineering of this park. It’s not safe. Whoever is responsible should be held accountable.
Countless deaths? Really?
I can’t go watch a baseball game at that ballpark. The heat is insufferable for 70 of the 81 games played there.
I had a chat with the late Bobby Bragen some years ago who was lamenting the Rangers new ballpark and how much they would regret not building a dome,. He was right. July and August are just miserable in north Texas, I’m glad they’re making this change.
Countless.
They still haven’t unearthed all of the mass casualties at the Burial Grounds at Arlington Ballpark, there’s stacks of bones and skulls as far as the eye can see. I heard they’re even going to change the name from Global Life Ballpark to Global Death Ballpark.
The Ballpark at Arlington was a work of art. Can’t take the heat? Get out of Texas.
Crickets
Interesting very interesting
Why aren’t the Mariners at least trying? We have the money.
Maybe he doesn’t want to go to Seattle..
right
The Mariners are trying. Everything about him fits the profile that Dipoto looks for. Just because it wasn’t reported, doesn’t mean he isn’t a target. In fact, it wasn’t until this offseason anything was said about their pursuit of Ohtani, but we learned that they had been on it for over a year.
Seattle has to overpay to attract players.
You think Nelson Cruz is overpaid?
At the time I thought it was. I remember reading an article on MLBTR Mariners thought adding 4th year was a “necessary evil” He turns 38 in 5 months, heading into his age 38-season, and 4 year $57M pact covered his age 35-38 seasons. (Typically decline)
Hindsight is 20/20 and that contract proved to be a steal. I mean the guy’s averaged .908 OPS, 42 homers, 106 RBI, past 4 years, including that 1 FA year before signing. What more could you ask? He’s continued his production— and then some.
No real surprise but this is exactly what a team in need of talent has to do. Are you paying attention Baltimore?
Do you know how much international money the Orioles have available?
Lol if the allotments built up and they randomly signed everyone with talent.
For whatever reason, Baltimore absolutely refuses to participate in the international market…Especially, the younger teenagers and the prospects around Martinez’s age…
Does any Baltimore fans know why this is?? Have they came out and gave their fans a reason why they refuse to take part in this talent-laden market??
They are only so many ways to acquire young, premium talent: the amateur draft, undrafted free agents, rarely through free agency or trades, once in a blue moon the Rule V draft, and of course the international market…That means there are only 5-6 ways to acquire young talent, and by eliminating one of those avenues, the Orioles are only doing themselves and especially their fans a HUGE DISJUSTICE!!
How are their fans okay with this?? One would think the Orioles fans would come together, and find some way to voice their collective displeasure…
Baltimore wasn’t under any restrictions this year, either. I suspect it has something to do with the TV dispute with Washington. Though they own the majority of MASN, the situation is a mess and it’s apparently going to be settled by a panel of MLB arbitrators. The belief seems to be that Baltimore will have to pay Washington a huge chunk of money, so it’s possible that they’re allocating money from other budgets to deal with that when the time comes.
I think Baltimore got rid of all their international money didn’t they?
Finally, a move this offseason I can actually get behind.
I just don’t see the hype of this kid..from what I gather he’s just a younger Martin Prado clone with faster legs. I’m truly sorry if I rub ppl the wrong way with this comment BUT I really wish MLB started scouting more talent here in the US where it belongs…Go ahead, I am prepared for the nasty comments
I agree….
They have this little thing called the draft…
You mean he’ll have almost a decade of average to above average play? Seems good to me
Correct, what exactly is wrong with a faster Martin Prado?? As a Braves fan, I absolutely loved Prado when he was a Brave…Any team would be lucky to have a guy like Prado on their team…
Nasty comment nasty comment nasty comment nasty comment
Prado had been a damn good MLb player. If that’s all this kid turns out to be, then good for whoever signs him because they’ll be getting a productive player. That’s not a bad investment on a 3 million dollar investment.
I don’t see your issue with clubs scouting international prospects. They have entire departments for that. They also have entire departments to scout college kids and high school kids. Few legitimate players go unnoticed. So if you’re not met with the nasty comments you predicted- it’s probably because people don’t understand what you’re talking about…
I don’t see what there’s not to understand..What I’m trying to say is instead of giving some foreign kid (who by the way has never even played in a minor league game in his life) 3 million dollars, why not give it to some poor American kid who is just as good? There’s kids 3 times better than him in A ball who actually has to “do it legit and go through the system” just to make league minimum. That’s my only gripe. Adding all this foreign talent is just bad for the sport IMO. That’s what the world classic is for
Prospects like these are outliers. Most sign for less, albeit more than late round draft picks. But I believe a $2.5MM signing bonus is equivalent to a slot bonus of an early 2nd round pick attollment… I think it’s part of what this makes this County the best in the world. Signing teenagers with baseball talent and changing their entire family’s life forever. Same can be said with football once those guys have been drafted out of college. How many industry’s on the planet can do that!?
Take a look here at the Rule 4 draft financial details: baseballamerica.com/draft/2017-mlb-draft-slots-bon…
Then take a look here at the deals given to international amateurs: mlb.com/news/top-international-prospects-sign-on-j…
This doesn’t account for the deal for Marte that was voided by the Twins. He got roughly half the dough with the Rays.
The point is that far more money is spent on American and Canadian prospects and there’s far more North American players given an opportunity with 40 rounds in the Rule 4 and hundred of others that sign undrafted.
You’ve rambled off a lot of baseless opinions, but suggesting American kids have it worse is the most ridiculous from any angle. You should go visit the DR, Cuba, or Venezuela.
So your opinion is based off racism? Got it. No wonder you were expecting nasty comments you moron
Please re-read your comment, preferably in an unbiased manner, before you comment again…
You would be doing yourself a big favor..BUT, if for some reason you still don’t understand, read a couple of the comments above and my comen’s below…
Also, take into consideration, these poor Americans, have the benefit of playing in College, the foreign players don’t..Also, it is only a small percentage of the foreign players that get a significant bonus…Most only sign for an average of about 25k…Even still, those are the cream of the crop from their country…
Not to mention all of the professional training the North American kids get, the upgraded facilities, etc. The majority of the upper-level baseball fields, in several countries, they are equal to that of your typical middle school field…
There are COUNTLESS advantages the North American kids hold over the foreign born players, yet you REALLY want to hold a grudge against the few and far between that receive a significant contract??
Not to mention, you are acting as if the foreign born players get a free pass to the majors…Even after they sign, they still have to earn their way to the majors, just like the North American drafted 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders…Those FEW draftees will earn a very similar amount, because they are the CREAM OF THE CROP, just like the foreign-born amateur signees…
Also, they have to earn their way to the top, all the while oh gee idk learning a BRAND NEW CULTURE, being so young in a BRAND NEW COUNTRY!?!
C’MON MAN!! You’re digging yourself a giant hole, PLEASE just put away the shovel…!!
WTF? Did you really just post this crap ? Get a grip!
You realize they have international minor leagues right? That are affiliated with the teams? Do you really know baseball?
Martinez is the top international prospect available, or will be once Major League Baseball grants him free agency. A lefty with a promising combination of athleticism, speed and power at a premium position, Martinez’s talent is commensurate with a first-round pick. Based on his present ability, he should be ready for a high Class A or Double-A assignment.
Talent in the USA is scouted quite closely. However, with a draft, players don’t have a bidding contest, except with the teams that draft them.
i welcome a response.
May your beard grow inward.
Do you have any idea how many scouts each team has in every little high school game in the United States. That comment is just absurd. Plus the Latin players love the game a lot more these days than American kids do.
“The Rangers did not seem to have quite that much pool availability when last we checked”
Texas probably increased its 2017-18 pool availability by shifting Yenci Pena’s bonus ($675K, less $200K, on 12/9) to next year’s pool, since he’s one of the former Braves prospects who had his contract voided. That would make Texas’ current pool estimate:
$3.535M (pre-Ohtani signing) – $800K (Keithron Moss signing, 12/13) – $500K (D’Vaughn Knowles signing, 12/14) + $350K (acq’d from Reds, 2/21) = $2.585M remaining
That’s still short of the $2.7M-2.8M projected for Julio Pablo Martinez, but it’s a lot closer.
He’s gonna look great next to Ohtani. Oh wait…
Why? Is he gonna need Tommy John surgery after his 2nd week in the majors too?
And if he does they literally lost nothing more than a second round pick. Lol
He sucks, so whatever.
So do you, so…