1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

2017-18 International Signing Period

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by tellitlikeitis, Jun 27, 2017.

  1. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    A new IFA signing period begins Sunday. The Astros, however, are barred from signing anyone for over $300,000 for the next two seasons thanks to their spending spree in the 2016-17 IFA period.



    The Astros appear to be the favorites to sign the #50 guy on the above list, Brazilian RHP Heitor Tokar.

     
  2. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987


    According to Ben Badler, the Astros are linked to the following players:

    - RHP Heitor Tokar (Brazil)
    - RHP Jairo Lopez (Venezuela)
    - RHP Jose Betances (DR; was eligible to sign last year)
    - Venezuelan OFs Abrahan Castillo, Yimmi Cortabarria, Yefri Carrillo
     
  3. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,927
    Likes Received:
    83,114
    Is he the little short kid who was profiled on espn recently?
     
  4. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    I think that's Eric Pardinho, who's likely going to the Blue Jays. Tokar is listed at 6'7", 250.
     
  5. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,927
    Likes Received:
    83,114
    Yeah, that's the one, they did a great story on him. Hadn't heard about Lurch.
     
  6. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    No Worries and Snake Diggit like this.
  7. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,949
    Likes Received:
    14,696
    Can Houston trade their pool money? If so that might make sense if they can use it all only spending $300k at a time.
     
  8. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,927
    Likes Received:
    83,114
    Bingo. Swap some for the tradeable comp picks in the draft.

    Teams can also trade pool space once the signing period opens on July 2. They can acquire up to 75 percent of their original pool allocation in 2017-18 and 2018-19, then after that they can trade for up to 60 percent of their original pool. Teams are allowed to trade away as much of their pool as they want.

    Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/inte...ernational-signing-rules/#f4SYb3cw7SetXDld.99
     
    raining threes likes this.
  9. Buck Turgidson

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    84,927
    Likes Received:
    83,114
  10. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987


    Astros have agreements with the following players:

    - RHP Heitor Tokar (Brazil)
    - RHP Jairo Lopez (Venezuela)
    - RHP Jose Betances (DR)
    - OF Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela)
    - OF Yimmy Cortabarria (Venezuela)
    - OF Yefri Carrillo (Venezuela)
    - OF Victor Coutinho (Brazil)
    - OF Abraham Castillo (Venezuela)
    - C Ricardo Toro (Venezuela)
    - C Carlos Hurtado (Venezuela)
    - LHP Ricardo León (Venezuela)

    Jesse Sanchez is also reporting that the Astros have also signed SS Rolando Espinosa (Cuba) for $300,000.
     
    #10 tellitlikeitis, Jul 2, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  11. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    Carlos Duarte, a sportswriter in Venezuela, tweeted out that LHP Ricardo Leon, a 6'6" LHP, has signed with the Astros.

    Post #10 updated

     
  12. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
  13. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    According to this article (in Spanish only), Venezuelan LHP Ricardo León has a fastball touching 90, a mid-70s breaking ball, and a low-80s changeup.

    He considers Johan Santana to be his inspiration.

     
  14. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    Luis Garcia, another Venezuelan, has signed with the Astros. Looks like he trained at Melvin Mora's academy.

     
  15. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
  16. rocketpower2

    rocketpower2 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    11,030
    Likes Received:
    2,393
    Those blue jerseys though. Damn the team should rock those.
     
  17. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,949
    Likes Received:
    14,696
    The article on Astros.com has been updated with bonus details for the 26 guys they announced. They total up to ~$3.1M, which means Houston should have another ~$1.6M to spend or trade.
     
  18. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    19,639
    Likes Received:
    9,987
    Here's what they got:

    Wilyer Abreu
    , OF, Venezuela, $300,000
    Ricardo Leon, LHP, Venezuela, $300,000
    Yefri Carrillo, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
    Yimmi Cortabarria, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
    Franklin Pinto, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
    Heitor Tokar, RHP, Brazil, $300,000
    Jose Betances, RHP, Dominican Republic, $285,000
    Abraham Castillo, OF, Venezuela, $150,000
    Victor Mascai, OF, Brazil, $100,000
    Ernesto Jaquez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $95,000
    Ricardo Toro, C, Venezuela, $95,000
    Enmanuel Morillo, SS, Dominican Republic, $90,000
    Carlos Hurtado, C, Venezuela, $80,000
    Junior Marte, SS, Dominican Republic, $70,000
    Alfredi Jimenez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $50,000
    Manny Ramirez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $50,000
    Cristofer Mezquita, LHP, Dominican Republic, $30,000
    Luis Garcia, RHP, Venezuela, $20,000
    Flaer Gonzalez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $20,000
    Valente Bellozo, RHP, Mexico, $20,000
    Oliver Van Der Wijst, 3B, The Netherlands, $17,500
    Alex Blanco, RHP, Dominican Republic, $10,000
    Javier Bermudez, SS, Venezuela, $10,000
    Hecduar Barcenas, RHP, Venezuela, $10,000
    Victor Coutinho, INF/OF, Brazil
    Diosmerky Taveras, RHP, Dominican Republic, $55,000
     
  19. Yaosthirdleg

    Yaosthirdleg Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Messages:
    796
    Likes Received:
    697
    I wonder what Coutinho got? And the Cuban SS Espinosa probably isn't official yet but that's another $300,000. That most likely still leaves over $1M to spend or trade. I absolutely love that they explore and greatly value all avenues that allow them to attain amateur talent. Luhnow and co. won't let this farm ever hit rock bottom in all likelihood.
     
    raining threes likes this.
  20. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,949
    Likes Received:
    14,696
    Yep. Sure, getting a few of the most highly rated guys is great, but given the restrictions, signing 7 guys that are worth the $300k and spreading the money around may even be a better strategy.
     
    Yaosthirdleg likes this.

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now