The signing period for international free agents typically begins July 2, but that won’t be the case this summer. Rather, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America and J.J. Cooper of BA, it will open Jan. 15, 2021, and conclude Dec. 15, 2021. A delayed signing period looked like the probable outcome when the owners and players reached an agreement on a potential season in March. It’s largely a cost-cutting measure by teams, whose finances will take a hit during a shortened or canceled season with few to no fans in the stands. And the likelihood is that it won’t be the only signing period pushed back, per Cooper, who writes that the 2021-22 version may not begin until Jan. 15, 2022.
In the upcoming edition, clubs will not be able to trade international bonus pool space, reports Badler, who adds that each team found out their exact allotments Monday. Here they are…
$6,431,000:
- Brewers, Reds, Marlins, Rays, Tigers, Twins
$5,899,600:
- Cardinals, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Padres, Rockies, Indians, Royals, Orioles
$5,348,100:
- Astros, Athletics, Mariners, Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, White Sox, Mets, Nationals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants
$4,372,700:
- Angels, Phillies
$4,232,700:
- Yankees
$1,572,700:
- Braves
Why couldn’t they keep it the way it was so that we could get through these next 9, boring months without baseball, just a little bit easier?
I agree, but from the article it appears to be a cash flow issue.
It’s a cash flow issue, yet we see teams at the top having the most cash to spend that supposedly have the issue? Why not leave the IFA signing date alone and take away amount limits? That way kids can get cash and poor mouthing teams can complain. They are going to regardless.
If it’s cash flow why not defer 90% like they just did with the regular draft.
Wouldn’t visas some international players acquired to be in certain countries during the international signing period expire by the end of the year? That’s pretty harsh if MLB didn’t consider that when making this decision.
Most visas are good for 10 years, but international amateur players rarely come stateside before they turn 18 anyway.
#boycottmlb
#boycottbaseball
#boycottbryceharper
How about you start by boycotting MLB related comment sections?
this is so sad. mlb owners should sit on the roadside and beg for quarters!
Nice to see the Astros have been severely punished. Oh, you mean they’re still allowed to spend over $5 million on international talent? Punishment indeed.
The Astros deserve the extra money because they have to hire extra coaches to be able to bring these foreign kids up to speed on their way of playing baseball. Many of these kids come from countries that don’t teach youth how to use video cameras to relay signs and how to decifer them. Only the Stros can teach them that.
just screwing young players over even more
It’s still striking how severe the punishment to the Braves was compared to the Astros and Red Sox.
Look at Boston’s punishment for the same crime. 1 year ban. That’s it. No future reductions in spending. No lifetime bans.