Hernandez, Santa Sign Big League Deals
SUNDAY: The Mariners do not have any agreement with Dominican outfielder Helsin Martinez, M's vice president of international operations Bob Engle told Ben Badler of Baseball America.
"We did not sign Martinez in the Dominican Republic," Engle said. "That is not correct at all. Whoever put out that information is totally inaccurate."
SATURDAY: Three players from the International Prospects League have signed deals with major league clubs, according to the IPL website. Elier Hernandez signed for $3.05MM with the Royals, Helsin Martinez signed with the Mariners for $2MM, and Adelin Santa inked a deal with the Tigers for $750K.
Hernandez, 16, is considered by several scouts to be either the top prospect or one of the top prospects to come out of Latin America this year, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. The Dominican boasts explosive bat speed from the right side and at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds already possesses a major league body. Hernandez's bonus is highest of all-time for an international amateur outfielder.
Many scouts say that the Martinez, who hails from the Dominican Republic, has the best right-handed power in Latin America among this year's July 2-eligible players, Badler writes. The newest member of the Mariners organization is a corner outfielder who stands at 6-foot-5 and 190-pounds.
Santa, a 16-year-old Dominican third baseman, is the least-heralded of the three prospects but stands out for his raw power and arm strength, according to Badler.
July 2nd Signings Roundup
The Rangers made a huge splash early on today when they reached agreement on a deal with Nomar Mazara for more than $5MM. Hours later, we learned that Texas inked fellow Dominican outfielder Ronald Guzman to a deal with a healthy $3.5MM signing bonus. General Manager Jon Daniels & Co. spent some serious coin on the international free agent market today, but they weren't the only ones..
- Rangers: Approximately $8.5MM. Nomar Mazara (approx. $5MM), Ronald Guzman ($3.5MM).
- Royals: $3.05MM. Elier Hernandez ($3.05MM).
- Mariners: $2MM. Helsin Martinez ($2MM).
- Cubs: $1.1MM. Enrique Acosta ($1.1MM).
- Padres: $1.1MM. Jose Ruiz ($1.1MM).
- Pirates: $1.05MM. Harold Ramirez ($1.05MM).
- Mets: Approximately $1MM. Jose Garcia (less than $1MM).
- Tigers: $750K. Adelin Santa ($750K).
- Cardinals: $650K. Dewin Perez ($450K), Jose Godoy ($200K).
- Twins: $650K. Miguel Gonzalez ($650K).
- Braves: $230K. Iosif Bernal ($230K).
- Astros: $220K. Arturo Michelena ($220K).
- Indians: $200K. Francisco Miguel ($200K).
By the way, tell your Spanish-speaking friends to check out our sister site Rumores de Béisbol, where you can catch all the latest rumors with a Latin American focus.
Rays Grant Chris Bootcheck His Release
The Rays have granted right-hander Chris Bootcheck his release from Triple-A Durham, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Topkin reported yesterday that Bootcheck was expected to exercise his July 1st opt-out.
Bootcheck, 32, signed a minor league deal with Tampa Bay in February. The right-hander hasn't appeared in the majors since 2009 when he was with the Pirates. In six major league seasons, the veteran owns a 6.54 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9.
Quick Hits: Mariners, Rangers, Astros, Hendry
Some Quick Hits for Saturday night..
- The Mariners are looking for bullpen help in addition to bats and they've shown interest in what the Padres have, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). However, the M's aren't likely to overpay for a rental and they'd much prefer players under who are under control for '12 (also via Twitter).
- The Rangers appear to be close to another international signing, writes Enrique Rojas for ESPNDallas.com. The club is nearing a deal with Dominican pitcher Pedro Payano for $500-600K.
- A few inexpensive international signings went down today. The Astros signed Venezuelan shortstop Arturo Michelena for $220K according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The Braves signed Iosif Bernal, a Panamanian outfielder, for a $230K bonus and the Indians inked Dominican outfielder Francisco Miguel for $200K, writes Badler. The Cardinals signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Godoy for $200K, says Badler.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry said that he's not concerned about what other people have to say about his job security in an interview on ESPN1000.
Mets Sign Jose Garcia
The Mets have signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Garcia, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Exact bonus terms have not been made available, but Badler tweets that the backstop got "sandwich-round type money", less than $1MM.
Garcia has received high praise for his catching intangibles and level, line-drive swing. The 16-year-old is a switch hitter with below-average power, though some scouts think that his power could improve somewhat. The Mets have been tied to Garcia for some time.
Pirates Notes: Ramirez, Huntington, Trades
Let's check out some notes on the Pirates as they finish out the second act in their doubleheader against the Nationals..
- Rene Gayo, the Pirates' Director of Latin American scouting, had high praise for outfielder Harold Ramirez, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He's a real exciting player. Plays like Willie Mays," said Gayo. Earlier today, the Bucs signed Ramirez for $1.05MM.
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly sounds as if he's ready to extend GM Neal Huntington's contract, writes Biertempfel. Huntington is signed through the end of this season.
- As the Bucs look to upgrade their offense this year and build for the future at the same time, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says that Huntington might want to consider standing pat.
Blue Jays Designate Jayson Nix For Assignment
The Blue Jays have designated Jayson Nix for assignment, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The move will allow Toronto to recall Mike McCoy.
Toronto acquired Nix just prior to Opening Day from the Indians in exchange for cash considerations. The infielder had a strong second half with the Indians last year but was unable to find similar success this season. In 151 plate appearances, Nix hit .169/.245/.309 with four homers.
Yankees Release Carlos Silva
The Yankees have released Carlos Silva, according to Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune (via Twitter). Silva was cut loose due to shoulder problems, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The veteran was released by the Cubs in late March before signing a minor league deal with the Yankees on April 9th. The 32-year-old started seven games at various levels of the Yankees' system, posting an ERA of 2.75 with 7.0 K/9 with 1.5 BB/9.
Silva may be without employment at the moment but he's being compensated well in 2011. The Mariners are paying him $5.5MM while the Cubs are on the hook for $7.25MM, plus $2MM in 2012.
Cardinals Sign Dewin Perez
The Cardinals have signed Colombian left-hander Dewin Perez, according to a team press release. Perez will receive a signing bonus of $450K, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Perez is undersized at 5-foot-11 but scouts have seen the hurler sit in the high 80s with a good delivery and show a feel for his offspeed stuff, according to Badler (subscription req'd). The youngster is a solid athlete and a former switch-hitting outfielder.
Padres Sign Jose Ruiz
The Padres have signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Ruiz for $1.1MM, according to Baseball America's Ben Badler.
Ruiz is a 16-year-old right-handed hitter from Guacara, Venezuela. Scouts considered Ruiz one of the top catchers in Latin America this year because of his projectable 6-foot-2, 180 pound frame. He also boasts advanced defense and raw power.