Dodgers Open International Signing Period With A Bang
Well, the rumors proved to be true. The Los Angeles Dodgers woke up and spent $20 million before breakfast on Thursday, the first day of the international signing period.
An unexpected twist landed a top target in a rival’s farm, but the day was otherwise a spectacular illustration of the club’s spending power and willingness to add talent to every level of the organization.
Yadier Alvarez Takes The Cake
Nearly 80 percent of the Dodgers’ spending went toward Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez. The 19 year old signed for $16 million, the figure Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs previously reported. Alvarez immediately steps into the top of a rejuvenated system, alongside hard-throwing righties Grant Holmes and Jose De Leon.
The 6’3 175 pounder already shows excellent arm strength and remains extremely projectable. Despite the signing bonus, don’t expect Alvarez to contribute to the big club right away. The teenager has seen some showcase action in the past months but is nowhere near ready to pitch in the majors.
Alvarez will remain in the Dominican Republic to get situated and could join a Minor League affiliate in the coming months. Though the safe bet is the Dodgers will handle him with extreme caution. He’s likely to make his pro debut in 2016.
The One That Got Away
Up until Wedesnday, the Dodgers seemed destined to sign the top three players on the market. But just a day before signings would become official, reports began spreading that Bahamian shortstop Lucius Fox’s deal with the Dodgers had fallen through.
What’s worse, it was the Dodgers’ rivals, the San Francisco Giants, who swooped in and nabbed the teenager. What happened? That part is unknown. The two sides have different viewpoints as to what went wrong.
But let’s be honest, this isn’t the first time the name Fox has been linked to a failed player transaction. Still, it would have been nice for the Dodgers to add his bat.
CONTINUE READING: Dodges May Lose Out On Another Prospect, Club Gets Creative
The more talent the better.To have a talented Farm System is a luxury the Dodgers have not had since the O’Malley’s. You cannot run a competitive team and be fiscally prudent without one. I am very confident the Dodgers will have very powerful teams going forward with cost controlled players but also very competitive teams. Getting to the playoffs is the goal. Winning the WS is based on luck after a certain point. The Giants were not the best team last year. But they won it. It depends on who gets hot at the right time and depends on staying healthy and how the ball bounces, literally.