Over the Monster - The Red Sox and the international free agent marketBut Can He Pitch?https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/32934/otm-fv.jpg2013-07-02T13:24:58-04:00http://www.overthemonster.com/rss/stream/42514692013-07-02T13:24:58-04:002013-07-02T13:24:58-04:00Sox sign international FA LHP Emmanuel DeJesus
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<p>The Red Sox inked a second international prospect on the first day of the signing period.</p> <p>July 2 kicked off the international free agent signing period, and the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> have been busy in the first few hours. Earlier on Tuesday, they signed third baseman Rafael Devers, and just a few hours later, agreed to a contract with left-handed pitcher Emmanuel DeJesus, <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseSanchezMLB/status/352059540981813250" target="_blank">according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez</a>.</p>
<p>DeJesus is a 6-foot-3, 185 pound southpaw out of Venezuela. He actually hails from the same program as current Red Sox starter and Venezuelan product <span>Felix Doubront</span>,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-for-july-2/"> as <i>Baseball America</i> detailed</a>:</p>
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<p>At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, DeJesus has a loose arm and a big frame with a bit more durability than Doubront had at the same age, but his stuff is still a projection. He throws in the mid-to-high 80s and will flash some feel for a curveball and a changeup, but they're inconsistent right now.</p>
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<p>He's just 16 years old, so it will be years before we know if those similarities actually result in anything. However, he comes well-regarded: <i>Baseball America</i> had him as a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-for-july-2/">prospect to watch </a>just outside of their top-30, and <a target="_blank" href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2013/#list=int">MLB.com rated DeJesus</a> as the #24 prospect available for this international signing period.</p>
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<a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/7/2/4486164/red-sox-sign-international-free-agent-rafael-devers-for-1-5-million">
<h2>Red Sox sign international free agent Rafael Devers for $1.5 million</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15766261/141021515.0_standard_730.0.jpg"></a> <span>Boston signed the player they've been targeting for months, but still have plenty of money to work with. </span>
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<p>MLB.com's report states that DeJesus projects to be a "power arm and starter," but also suggest there's a chance he ends up in the bullpen. That kind of hedging makes a lot of sense, considering we're talking about a 16-year-old -- think of the questions surrounding someone as highly regarded as Boston's first-round draft pick from June, Trey Ball, and then consider that DeJesus is two years and change younger than Ball. That "power arm" part seems a little odd, considering they state he doesn't have an overpowering fastball and excels instead at keeping hitters off-balance with an array of secondary offerings. They do expect his fastball to move up to a 40 on the 20-80 scouting scale, though -- it's currently ranked a 20 at the bottom of the scale -- but that still doesn't quite clear things up, since 40 is below-average.</p>
<p>Still, velocity could come, and he could figure out better movement on the pitch, which he currently uses on the corners. A lot could happen with a 16-year-old, especially once he's under the wing of professional coaches.</p>
<p>DeJesus cost just $780,000, so, combined with Devers' $1.5 million price tag, the Red Sox still have just under $900,000 to spend on international free agents. That's still plenty of money, if spent in the right places -- <span>Xander Bogaerts</span> signed for $510,000 back in 2009, while the aforementioned Doubront, who is currently a major-league starter, came aboard for just $150,000 well before draft budgets were even a thing.</p>
<h2>Read more Red Sox:</h2>
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<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/28/4473010/red-sox-trade-targets-relievers-mlb-trade-deadline">Red Sox trade targets: Cheap relievers</a></li>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/7/2/4486968/red-sox-sign-international-free-agent-lhp-emmanuel-dejesusMarc Normandin2013-07-02T09:38:59-04:002013-07-02T09:38:59-04:00Sox sign international FA Devers
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<figcaption>J. Meric</figcaption>
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<p>Boston signed the player they've been targeting for months, but still have plenty of money to work with.</p> <p><b>Update: 1:01 pm</b>: MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JesseSanchezMLB/status/352074855270727682">has confirmed Dionisio Soldevila's initial report </a>of Devers' signing.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*****</p>
<p><b>Update 10:44 am</b>: Devers is still expected to sign with Boston, but <i>Baseball America's</i> Ben Badler tweeted out that he's been "<a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/352058733779623937" target="_blank">told [Devers] has not signed yet</a>." We'll keep you posted if there are any updates on Devers' status.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">******</p>
<p>The July 2nd signing period kicked off this morning at 9 am eastern, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> wasted no time signing a player they've been targeting for much of 2013. Rafael Devers, a 16-year-old Dominican-born left-handed hitter, was signed by Boston for $1.5 million, <a href="https://twitter.com/dSoldevila/status/352050273822326784" target="_blank">according to ESPN Deportes' Dionisio Soldevila</a>.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>Read More</strong>: <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/27/4470426/cuban-free-agent-miguel-alfredo-gonzalez-red-sox-rumors" target="new">Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could sign for $60 million</a>
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<p>Devers is a third base prospect who is far more advanced as a hitter than you would think given his youth, as <a href="http://sbb.scout.com/2/1278115.html" target="_blank">Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel pointed out back in March</a>:</p>
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<p>Devers' power is fringy right now but he can hit the ball with authority to all fields and his power already shows up in game situations. This type of power ages well and while he doesn't have physical projection, Devers is young enough that he'll add some good weight and drop some bad weight.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospect-signing-predictions/" target="_blank"><i>Baseball America's</i> Ben Badler</a>, like McDaniel, also pegged Devers to the Red Sox, while ranking Devers the #3 international prospect available:</p>
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<p>Devers is an advanced hitter with a sound swing who has produced in games. The Red Sox have targeted players who meet that description in recent years, including shortstops Tzu-Wei Lin and Wendell Rijo last year, although their secondary skills and athleticism make them very different players.</p>
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<p>The Red Sox had <a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/4/11/4212370/red-sox-international-draft-bonus-pool-mlb">the seventh-most money to spend</a> on the international market, with $3,179,900 total to work with. Spending $1.5 million on one player cuts into that budget significantly, but, at the same time, they secured one of the top available talents and still have space left over to work with thanks to last year's dismal record boosting their budget. Devers is obviously a long, long way from being in the prospect mix, as he'll spend the next couple of seasons in the summer leagues before even making his way to either the GCL or the New York-Penn, but in a few years' time, he could very well be a name that prospect-savvy Red Sox fans know.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4_PVV7fgAq8" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/7/2/4486164/red-sox-sign-international-free-agent-rafael-devers-for-1-5-millionMarc Normandin2013-06-28T11:09:34-04:002013-06-28T11:09:34-04:00Sox scouted Cuban FA OF Dariel Alvarez
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<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Red Sox could be investing heavily in the international free agent market, thanks to Cuba.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> aren't just looking at your standard international prospects for the July 2 signing period, as they're also keeping a close watch on the free agents whose contracts won't be included within the limited draft budget. Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez is one such player, as he's already 24 years old, and with the requisite professional experience in Cuban baseball to make him a true free agent on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/british-open" class="sbn-auto-link">the open</a> market.</p>
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<a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/27/4470426/cuban-free-agent-miguel-alfredo-gonzalez-red-sox-rumors">
<h2>Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could sign for $60 million</h2>
<img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15485843/130262706.0_standard_730.0.jpg"></a> <span>If the Red Sox sign this international free agent, it's going to cost them some serious money. </span>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://js.mlblogs.com/2013/06/27/cuban-of-prospect-dariel-alvarez-ready-to-sign/">According to Jesse Sanchez of mlb.com</a>, the Red Sox were one of eight teams -- including the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a>, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>, <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>, <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a>, <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a>, <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a>, and <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> -- to attend Alvarez's showcase in Florida on Wednesday. The Red Sox have also been attending showcases for Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who reportedly will end up with a deal nearing $60 million.</p>
<p>Alvarez defected last summer, and has been noted for his strong arm. <a target="_blank" href="http://irfast.blogspot.com/2012/12/dariel-alvarez-scouting-report.html">His early work in the Cuban leagues</a> did not look like that of a capable big-league hitter according to Davenport statistical translations, but he's seemingly developed in that regard over time -- he did start over there as a teenager, after all. That doesn't mean you should be expecting <span>Yasiel Puig</span> or anything, but he could turn out to be a pretty solid corner outfielder between his power and arm.</p>
<p>The Red Sox have a few big-league options in the outfield in the high minors -- <span>Jackie Bradley Jr.</span> is the obvious one, and <span>Bryce Brentz</span> could end up being something -- but they aren't exactly overflowing with depth there. Adding someone like Alvarez, if the price isn't insane, wouldn't be a bad use of Boston's money, assuming they like what they see in his workouts.</p>
<h2>Read more Red Sox:</h2>
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<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/28/4473136/celtics-trade-paul-pierce-kevin-garnett-red-sox">The Celtics, the Red Sox, and two franchise-saving trades</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/27/4470014/john-lackey-red-sox-tommy-john">John Lackey finally living up to his contract</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/26/4467524/mlb-all-star-game-2013-two-red-sox-prospects-named-to-futures-game">MLB All-Star Game 2013: Two Red Sox prospects named to Futures Game</a></li>
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<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/24/4459310/red-sox-kevin-youkilis-trade-white-sox-yankees">The Kevin Youkilis trade, one year later</a></li>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/28/4474356/red-sox-cuban-free-agent-rumors-dariel-alvarezMarc Normandin2013-06-27T11:38:03-04:002013-06-27T11:38:03-04:00Cuban free agent could sign for $60 million
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<figcaption>Dennis Grombkowski</figcaption>
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<p>If the Red Sox sign this international free agent, it's going to cost them some serious money.</p> <p>As a 26-year-old with over three years of service in the professional Cuban league, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is a real international free agent, and not subject to the strict budgetary laws of your typical, teenage international signing. What this means is that the idea of going to the highest bidder takes on new meaning once those involved in the bidding only have their own financial ceilings to worry about, rather than those imposed upon them by the league. With that in mind, it's not a surprise to see that Gonzalez is rumored to be <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/22537375/teams-lining-up-to-watch-cuban-pitcher-who-may-get-60-million" target="_blank">in line for a deal worth upwards of $60 million</a>, according to CBS Sports' Danny Knobler.</p>
<p><span>Yasiel Puig</span>, as Knobler mentions, shocked the baseball world last year when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> threw $42 million at him. That's worked out splendidly for them to this point, with Puig playing exciting defense for the Dodgers while also posting a 231 OPS+ in his first 22 major-league games, so it's no wonder that they're also heavily involved in the Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez sweepstakes. They might be the one who hands him that enormous deal, even:</p>
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<p>suggested to team it beat Dodgers to Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez by buying Key West, giving it to the Cuban RHP. Reply:"Might not be enough." LA</p>
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/statuses/349454845914255362">June 25, 2013</a>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> are also interested in Gonzalez. General manager Ben Cherington was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/21/4452866/red-sox-ben-cherington-miguel-alfredo-gonzalez-international-signings">the only GM in the game to witness Gonzalez's showcase</a> last week, as every other team in attendance sent an assistant GM or scouting director or what have you instead. He isn't the only one who has seen him, either, as Knobler reports that the Red Sox <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/22537375/teams-lining-up-to-watch-cuban-pitcher-who-may-get-60-million">have sent eight scouts to view Gonzalez</a>.</p>
<div class="read-more">
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<p>The worry with international contracts like what Gonzalez will get, as Red Sox fans know, is that the player won't live up to the cost. If Gonzalez turns out to be even a mid-rotation starter, though, $60 million isn't all that much money for a pitcher of that caliber in their mid-20s. There's the chance that things go awry, like they did for <span>Daisuke Matsuzaka</span>, but also the chance that Gonzalez turns into someone very useful and worth the investment.</p>
<p>To put it another way, the Red Sox have so many pitching prospects that they could sign Gonzalez, be disappointed with him, and probably not even a skip a beat while building their next couple of rotations. Unless he's an <i>awful</i> big-league pitcher, he's likely to be worth what he signs for, even if it seems a little absurd out of the gate given what we're used to rookies being paid in the normal salary system.</p>
<p>Plus, if he fails, they could always just send him to the Dodgers.</p>
<h2>Read more Red Sox:</h2>
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<li><a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/26/4467524/mlb-all-star-game-2013-two-red-sox-prospects-named-to-futures-game" target="_blank">MLB All-Star Game 2013: Two Red Sox prospects named to Futures Game</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/25/4463508/farrell-red-sox-jose-iglesias-will-middlebrooks-3B" target="_blank">Farrell: Red Sox "better team" with Jose Iglesias at third base</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/24/4459310/red-sox-kevin-youkilis-trade-white-sox-yankees" target="_blank">The Kevin Youkilis trade, one year later</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/24/4458216/shane-victorino-red-sox-outfielder-value" target="_blank">Shane Victorino providing value in multiple ways</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/21/4450822/ryan-dempster-red-sox-rotation" target="_blank">Ryan Dempster: The model of stability</a></li>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/27/4470426/cuban-free-agent-miguel-alfredo-gonzalez-red-sox-rumorsMarc Normandin2013-06-21T15:24:58-04:002013-06-21T15:24:58-04:00Cherington watches Cuban RHP Gonzalez showcase
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<figcaption>Dennis Grombkowski</figcaption>
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<p>It doesn't mean they'll get him, but it does mean the Red Sox are very interested.</p> <p>Plenty of teams are interested in 26-year-old Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, but only one of them sent their general manager to check out his showcase in Mexico on Thursday, <a href="http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/article/sources_cherington_only_gm_to_attend_showcase/13886744?new_post=true" target="_blank">according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal</a>. As you might have guessed, considering you're at a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> site, said team and GM were the Red Sox and Ben Cherington.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/21/4452180/mlb-draft-2013-red-sox-sign-5th-round-pick-lhp-corey-littrell">
<h2>MLB Draft 2013: Red Sox sign 5th-round pick LHP Corey Littrell</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15166313/draft_2013_logo.0_standard_730.0.png"></a> <span>Boston inks yet another pick from their first 10 to a below-slot deal. </span>
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<p>Gonzalez will be a free agent, unlike other international signing targets, as he's over 23 years old and has the necessary time put into professional Cuban leagues to exempt him, in the same way <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' rookie <span>Yasiel Puig</span> did. The important point to glean from this is that his eventual contract won't be part of the international draft budget, and the highest bidder could mean a very different thing than it would for those still constricted by that format. The Red Sox can absolutely play the money game if they have to, so if they like Gonzalez enough, expect them to put in a serious bid for his services.</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130606&content_id=49837998&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb" target="_blank">Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports</a> that Gonzalez has a mid-90s fastball, a change-up, a curve, and a forkball at his disposal. While he hasn't pitched in Cuba for two years thanks to a suspension for an attempt at defecting, he hasn't been sitting around -- he's spent time in Mexico throwing, including but not limited to Thursday's session, in order to stay sharp and impress the big-league clubs who come to watch him.</p>
<p>For your viewing pleasure, we've included video of Gonzalez pitching on the world stage, before he was suspended.</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/41Zz6Th1ItY" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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</ul>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/6/21/4452866/red-sox-ben-cherington-miguel-alfredo-gonzalez-international-signingsMarc Normandin2013-04-11T12:00:14-04:002013-04-11T12:00:14-04:00Red Sox international signing budget revealed
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<img alt="Can the Red Sox find the next Xander Bogaerts with their large international budget?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_cLVoi-vxb2iEMb1VU4_VSas7Xc=/0x20:4000x2687/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11344191/162998590.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Can the Red Sox find the next Xander Bogaerts with their large international budget? | Chung Sung-Jun</figcaption>
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<p>Boston's losing record in 2012 means they have plenty to spend on international free agents this summer</p> <p>Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams cannot just spend however much they want on international signings. Just like with the draft, a budget pool is released for each team instead, with penalties for clubs going over their limits. The spending limits are determined by record, with the worst teams getting the highest allotment. Since the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> were terrible in 2012, they not only get to pick seventh in the 2013 amateur entry draft, but are also allowed to spend <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/international-bonus-pools-for-2013-14/" target="_blank">the seventh-most on international signings</a>.</p>
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<a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/2013/3/26/4149324/red-sox-international-free-agent-rafael-devers-july-2">
<h2>Red Sox target international free agent Rafael Devers for July 2</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10450421/20130308_mje_an4_1005.0_standard_730.0.jpg"></a> <span>July seems far away, but Red Sox scouts are already checking out potential future players </span>
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<p>The Red Sox have $3,179,900 to spend, $191,800 more than the team directly behind them, the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a>, and $215,300 less than the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a>, who are directly in front of them. All told, the Red Sox own 4.1 percent of the total money in the budget pool, just slightly more than you would get were the allotments distributed evenly among all 30 clubs.</p>
<p><i>Baseball America's</i> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/penalties-for-exceeding-pools-depend-on-international-draft/">Ben Badler reports</a> that the penalties for exceeding these thresholds depend on whether or not there is an international draft, rather than signing period, in the summer of 2014. We won't know if there is or is not a draft until June -- MLB has to inform the MLBPA of their intent on that note by June 1, and the MLBPA can veto the move for 2014 by June 15 of this year if that's the case.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/penalties-for-exceeding-pools-depend-on-international-draft/">Badler has the full details over at <i>Baseball America</i></a><i>,</i> but you can find said penalties for each scenario below:</p>
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<p><strong>Penalties With 2014 International Draft</strong></p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> 0-5 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage.</li>
<li> 5-10 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage. Team loses first-round pick in the 2014 international draft.</li>
<li> 10-15 percent over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team loses first-round and second-round pick in the 2014 international draft.</li>
<li> 15 percent or more over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team loses first-round and second-round picks in both the 2014 and 2015 international drafts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Penalties With No International Draft</strong></p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> 0-5 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage.</li>
<li> 5-10 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won't be allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.</li>
<li> 10-15 percent over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won't be allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.</li>
<li>15 percent or more over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won't be allowed to sign a player for more than $250,000 during the 2014-15 signing period. </li>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/4/11/4212370/red-sox-international-draft-bonus-pool-mlbMarc Normandin2013-03-26T13:15:22-04:002013-03-26T13:15:22-04:00Red Sox target Devers for July 2
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1u02P3YvEN3YgLG1F7GlelpeViM=/0x66:4000x2733/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10450285/20130308_mje_an4_1005.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>July seems far away, but Red Sox scouts are already checking out potential future players</p> <p>Baseball has multiple avenues for bringing in new talent. While the most significant is the amateur entry draft, there are also international systems in place. In the draft, seniors in high school can be selected and signed, but on the international level, players can be brought in much earlier. If they're 16 years old <a target="_blank" href="http://sbb.scout.com/2/1277773.html">by July 2 through August 31</a>, they're eligible for signing on that day. </p>
<p>While July 2 is months off, clubs like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> are already<a target="_blank" href="http://sbb.scout.com/2/1277788.html"> scouting and targeting players</a> to ink at that time. One such player is Dominican third baseman and 16-year-old Rafael Devers. Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel reports that Boston is thinking of a signing bonus in the $1 million range for the six foot, 195 pound Devers. While you normally would think of a 16-year-old as having significant growth potential, Devers seems more like a high floor type. McDaniel describes him as lacking projection, but "has an advanced lefty bat that scouts widely believe is the best in the class" and is expected to say at the hot corner as he ages.</p>
<p>McDaniel also has <a target="_blank" href="http://sbb.scout.com/2/1278115.html">a full scouting report</a> for Devers available. He has an "exaggerated" leg kick that would normally be discouraged among raw prospects his age, but, as McDaniel says, the fact Devers is closer to a finish product on offense than your average 16-year-old changes things a bit. As for his power and his body:</p>
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<p>Devers' power is fringy right now but he can hit the ball with authority to all fields and his power already shows up in game situations. This type of power ages well and while he doesn't have physical projection, Devers is young enough that he'll add some good weight and drop some bad weight. </p>
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<p>The upside with Devers seems to be "solid everyday third baseman" according to McDaniel, with the downside being that his value is wrapped up in his bat, but the positive being that said value is already present in way it normally is not for kids his age. </p>
<p>The report concludes with multiple videos of Devers, including batting practice, infield, and running a 60 yard dash. We've embedded an at-bat from the Perfect Game World Showcase, which Devers participated in this winter, below. Be sure to check out the full reports, as names like Devers' will be in the news for much of the first half of 2013.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4_PVV7fgAq8" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/3/26/4149324/red-sox-international-free-agent-rafael-devers-july-2Marc Normandin