With the new rules on IFA signings, the awarding of MLB contracts is rarely used anymore. A good reason is that an 18 year old IFA will use up all his options before he is ready for ML action. So now MLB contracts are more or less used for older IFA signings that may need only one year in the minors.
For those that do not know and since I was asked, signing an IFA to a 5 year MLB minimum deal was common practice. The Players Union got involved in this signing concept and decided it was an unfair labor practice costing players money in future years. The reason is that a player could possibly miss out on Free Agency altogether. To solve this problem it was decided that an IFA could only be signed to a 3 year minimum MLB contract thus burning his options with the contract. A contract longer than 3 years can only be initiated by the IFA and the money could get down right preposterous, though I have yet to see one except when the coding was wrong to start with. There has been some backlash from the new rules as few MLB contracts are given out during a season now and has actually driven the price down.
Emil Flores, SS, Oklahoma City Kevin Durants - Scouts say he is a power hitting SS that likes to hit to CF. Defensively a little weak but should not stop him from playing the position. Physically fine and a bit of a base stealing threat. Excels in the hitting department.
A good buy for $15.5M but the MLB contract may not have been.
Tony Nakamura, P, Philadelphia Athletics - Scouts say he has everything one would look for in a lefty relief pitcher. The question is how will the Athletics use him. He could be a very good 3 pitch shut down closer or setup A.
A relatively cheap buy at $10M.
Tomas Martinez, P, Santa Fe Good Will - Scouts say he is over rated a little but can go the distance every 5 days. A lefty power starting pitcher with a good out pitch and 3 good pitches, control but splits could be a little weak.
Still a good buy for $9.6M
Orlando Fernandez, 3B, Omaha Lancers - Hopefully scouting didn't say he was a SS as that was grossly mistaken. But what my scouts say is a power GG 3B that hits up the middle. Has the power for that deep CF shot but could be a strike out victim quite a bit. Health could be a bit of an issue at some point.
Possibly a bit of a steep price at $8.8M.
Benito Villarreal CF, Las Vegas Slobs - Scouts say he could be a GG CF with ease and could be a bit of a base stealing threat. Hitting won't exactly wow anybody but won't be terrible. Makeup could be a problem.
Maybe a bit high at $8M.
Albie Cordero, P, Las Vegas Slobs - Scouts are huddling on this guy as they are not exactly sure what to expect. Has the stamina and control, splits are a tad light but not bad. The pitches are what is throwing everything as the second pitch is better than the out pitch which makes a good start pitch but pitch three and four are weak. With a weak setup pitch and a throw away pitch going into a somewhat weak out pitch, at least it will be on the ground somewhere.
Maybe a bit high at $8M.
Alex Vanguri, P, Austin Fightin' Armadillos - Scouts say he has outstanding control, good splits and three very good movement pitches. Everything one wants in a shut down closer.
I say good buy at $7.8M
Lorenzo Astacio, P, Austin Fightin' Armadillos - Another closer type for the 'Dillos! Scouts tell me good control, good splits and outstanding pitches. Whom will setup whom in the end?
Good buy at $5.3M, did his patience drive the price down?
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