1/12/16

The Morning Report 1.12.2016 | Cricket Superstar Trying Out for New York Mets, Lazarito Declared a Free Agent, Yadiel Hernandez Defects



Devon Teeple ExaminerKieran Powell is one of the most talented batsmen in cricket. At age 25, he’s played at the highest professional level including his Twenty20 debut at age 16. Powell is also one of only 81 players in history who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match. It was recently announced the Powell, who has dealt with some contract disputes, has decided to take some time off from the game and will attempt to transition to professional baseball. He peaked the interest of scouts immediately and has already has some tryouts, including with the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.

(Chris Soto: This is an interesting story...cricket is a BRUTALLY long sport that last 5! days. The batter continues to swing his bat and runs across the pitch and back over, and over, and over again, until he is retired. In the First Class cricket league, Powell scored 139! runs before finally being retired, so if anything, the guy could have good ball to bat skills and crazy insane endurance. Heck, why not....give the guy a try with the GCL Mets and see how he performs and then move him wherever it seems appropriate.)



DJ Short NBC Sports- 16-year-old Cuban prospect Lazaro Armenteros has been declared a free agent by MLB and will be eligible to sign with a team beginning on February 10. Known as “Lazarito” on the international baseball scene, he’s expected to end up in a corner outfield spot in the long run, but he has experience at both corner infield positions. It’s important to note that because of Armenteros’ age and experience level, he will be subject to MLB’s international spending limits. You might recall that there was a similar situation with Yoan Moncada about a year ago. He ended up signing a $31.5 million deal with the Red Sox. The total outlay of the deal ended up being $63 million due to the penalties involved for exceeding the international spending limit.

(Chris Soto: Before this past weekend's showcase, talent evaluators were calling Lazarito, "the next great one." Reminiscent of Bo Jackson and Willie Mays but at a younger age. I'm not quite sure how to take the showcase results though. Here's a guy who hasn't played organized baseball in over a year because he got caught trying to defect from Cuba twice and ended up getting suspended. The last line is very important here too.....Lazarito IS subject to international signing rules which the Mets, along with multiple other teams are unlikely to exceed. It is also important to note that with a new CBA scheduled to be negotiated; an international draft is very likely in 2017. Team's ARE expecting this and a number of them have indicated a plan to blow through international spending limits in the 2016-2017 signing period since penalties wouldn't be able to carry over into the draft.)


HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)
  • Another top level Cuban player has defected and is now preparing for showcases. OF Yadiel Hernandez will hold a showcase for MLB clubs on February 23rd in Mexico City. According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Hernandez is one of the best position players available in a deep current pool of talent from the island nation. The 28-year-old has had his way with Cuban pitching at times — including a ridiculous .369/.509/.535 batting line that included 77 walks in 369 plate appearances last year — although Badler has explained previously that Hernandez is undersized and doesn’t possess loud tools.

13 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Maybe we'll be scream in "chip, chip, cheerio" at Citifield in a few years...just doesn't seem cricket though.

Ernest Dove said...

Yay cricket........
Same as with mlb guys being given a 'minor league deal and invite to spring' I also have no problem with Mets reportedly watching this guy tryout. Theres no risk. Good luck to him.....and hey, I bet he loves the idea of being able tk actually wear a GLOVE to catch the ball.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm Alderson doesn't sign Boras clients, or Cubans!! But he is interested in a Cricket player?? WTF am I missing

bgreg98180 said...

Don't worry.
Alderson always sends somebody to watch the show cases.

Never is actually interested.

Anonymous said...

There's a ping pong player for Japan, Sandy should check out? Amazing hand eye coordination

Eddie from Corona said...

this is amazing... the mets are UNLIKELY to exceed the international signing rules....
AKA Wilpons are Cheap...
Team's ARE expecting this and a number of them have indicated a plan to blow through international spending limits in the 2016-2017 signing period since penalties wouldn't be able to carry over into the draft.
So No penalty and we sit Idol... Again we dont have to sign every 100 mil dollar player but what is the excuse here to acquire High ceiling talent... Is every star this team suppose find be a Jacob Degrom... Someone who exceeds expectations...

Tom Brennan said...

They found a guy in the South Pacific who is his island's best at catching falling coconuts...bringing him here for a tryout too.

Mack Ade said...

I will continue with my theory.

The Wilpons have continued to decide to benefit from the increased revenues of the 2015 season by following the same template in 2016... no big star/salary addition until the trading deadline.

What Alderson was allowed to do was better the opening day start (which he did) and they probably won't replace DePo either

bgreg98180 said...

2015 plan for the season worked out.

Two Big things contributed to that:
1) the Nationals imploded
2) acquiring Cespedes at deadline (Remember report of Jeff Wilpon forcing Alderson's hand on that trade)

This plan worked last year entering the season in part because the team did not know how well or how fast the young pitching would be entering last year.

Same plan should not be used in 2016.
1) young pitchers have proven themselves
2) can't plan on other teams imploding every year
3) no guarantee a bat like Cespedes was becomes available, you have the prospects the other team wants in a trade, and you are willing to part with the prospects the other team wants.

In addition, following that 2015 plan again will lead to even further erosion of the farm system that so many Alderson supporters credit him with preserving over the years.

Isn't the minor league systems erosion what upset so many people about Omar Minaya?

Yet, if Alderson plans on having to trade prospects every year at mid season, it's ok?
Something is wrong there.

Hobie said...

The only cricketeer I can remember in MLB was Andre Rodgers (SS NYG/Cubs).

Best low-ball, flat-bat hitter ever... oh.

Christopher Soto said...

@Eddie Corona.

To clarify.....we are still in the 2015-2016 Signing Period until June 15th (i believe....)

Teams are wary of violating International signing rules and incurring penalties because of the fact that a draft could be coming in 2017.....So the 2016-2017 signing period would be the last bonus babies in the MLB thus teams can spend freely without fear of incurring penalties.

Herb G said...

@Christopher Soto

I am pretty sure the new International Signing Period begins on July 2. Notwithstanding the fact that penalties my not come to fruition for the 2016/2017 signings, I would expect Sandy to still be frugal. It just isn't his style to stick his neck way out with big contracts extending over several years.

Christopher Soto said...

@Herb

You are correct the 2016-2017 period starts July 2nd but the 2015-2016 period ends around June 15th.

THere is a 2-3 week window where international free agents cannot be signed.