MLB’s 2021-22 International signing period opens today, making it possible for teams to consummate deals with international amateurs from countries outside of the United States and Canada.
Some agreements have been in place for years, but today is the day that players can finally sign on the dotted line. Not all players will actually sign today, but many of the player agreements should come to light. Baseball America’s Ben Badler has put together the list of international free agent signings for every team thus far, with more expected to pour in throughout the day.
Let’s refresh the international signing period basics. Though the signing period has traditionally opened on July 2, the pandemic delayed the opening of the 2020-2021 signing period. This is the second consecutive season that international signings have opened on January 15th instead. Teams have an 11-month window to sign international amateurs, with this year’s signing period set to close on December 15, 2022.
Prospects aged 16 and up – born after Sept. 1, 2005 – are eligible to sign minor league contracts with teams for signing bonuses that fall within the constraints of a league-allotted bonus pool. MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk recently posted each team’s pool allotment, with smaller market clubs typically having the largest available pools. This year, the Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Guardians, Orioles, Padres, Pirates, Rockies, and Royals each with $6,262,600 to spend.
Jesse Sanchez annually tracks this signing period for MLB.com, providing a list of some of today’s top available players. The Yankees are expected to sign top Roderick Arias, the top prospect in this year’s class, per Sanchez.
Would be funny if the owners replaced everyone with foreign players on like super cheap 15 year deals.
I would still watch. Keep on rockin in the free world baby!
Love the song, hate the cynicism in Neil Young’s lyrics. But what’s the relevance to this topic?
I agree, the lyrics are full of cynicism. IMO, I think we as humans have a way of believing ourselves to be on the “good” side of morality (anymore it’s all in the name of political correctness),just as much as the opposing side does. The lyric was in regard to Highest IQ’s post. That is all.
You’re trolling however the players need to keep in mind they’re easily replaceable, every, single, one of them and all at once if need be.
Who am I trolling? It’s entertainment, just as much as the next sitcom. Really not sure why that would upset you or anyone else personally
I am thankful pal, & not trying to hurt anyones feeings
@Hello, Newman
Owners should invest in robotic players.
Old York. That’s a no brainer.
If we are thinking of AI in baseball, and believe the owners aren’t. We would be fooling ourselves.
Did you experience the 94 strike? They tried replacement players,and it didn’t work out.
If they were so easily replaced,there wouldn’t be any need for negotiating,and leagues like the xfl and afl wouldn’t shut down and start back up the way they do.
I watched the replacements in 2000. If Keanu & the rest of the Sentinels can do it.. well there’s a chance, (a tall chance) someone else could.
Rick Reed says hi
The Braves are finally let out of international signing prison today. Go crazy like Ludacris AA.
John Coppolella can throw away the glasses and fake mustache. It’s a new day.
Chris Lova Lova!
Can’t wait for all these superstars to play in the MLB.
Tongue in cheek, I presume? Many of them will be stuck in leagues south of the border and very few will reach the majors. But it makes sense to buy $5-$6 million in lottery tickets compared to the cost of draft signings and especially free agents.
Hopefully Arias can switch to CF with the Yankees already having so many SS prospects. I also hope he lives up to the hype after missing out on Wander a few years ago.
The Cardinals being considered a small market club is ridiculous. I know they are, technically, but it’s crazy. They make a ton of revenue.
So you want to penalize a small city because a large portion of it’s citizens love baseball or what?
MLB should have an affiliated league in many/most/all of these countries. Players sign it the league, and are allocated to a team until they are 18. Then they are eligible for the draft.
Those undrafted can be signed as free agents (or remain in their affiliated league until signed/etc.)
You expect MLB teams to foot that bill? The pay their own six team minor leaguers crappy salaries. Now they have to foot the bill for three or four more teams?
They have the Dominican Summer League where players play *after* signing until they’re 18. But there simply aren’t enough prospect players to make a league in other countries.
I’d like to see a list of players signed, by country. Are there any European countries among the signees? Thanks
The Baseball America links never work for me on the app and I’m a subscriber!
**OF Oscar Colas, $2.7M White Sox**