Internationals Revisited: Season 1

Inspired by BTKantz's solid retrospectives on past amateur drafts, I thought I'd look back at some of the hits and misses of past International Free Agent signings.

At best, you might get a better idea of which ratings translate into productive major leaguers. At worst, you'll still be able to laugh and point at the suckers who forked over big cash for crap players who never even sniffed the big leagues. (Translation: A certain idiot owner's $2.5M love affair with middling 2B Napoleon Hennessey)

Biggest Signing

Hardball Dynasty's

Wilfredo Sanchez

Wilfredo Sanchez, New York Burros 2B. $8.4M
Analysis: The season one signing inspired a bidding war, and since it came before WIS implemented the budget transfer feature, it ultimately cost the Burros the chance to sign their first-round pick in the amateur draft. Still, Sanchez proved his worth, peaking with a 30 HR, 120 RBI season in year five.


Biggest Bust

Hardball Dynasty's

Edgardo Martinez

Edgardo Martinez, Oklahoma City Outlaws C
Analysis: It's probably not fair to call Martinez a total bust, since he's still playing and certainly has the ratings to be a major leaguer. Still, I can't think of too many owners who would be happy to fork out $7.4M for 0 major league ABs in eight seasons.

Hardball Dynasty's

Ivan James

Ivan James, Arizona Mustangs P: $4.0M
Analysis: If we're not counting Martinez, there's no question about this one. James was about as big a bust as you're going to find. During season one, most owners still weren't completely sure about the relative importance of certain ratings. James represented an expensive lesson about the significance of splits that didn't top out in the mid-20s. He put up an 11-36 record and 9.93 ERA over six seasons, never getting out of High A. He was the seventh-most expensive IFA in season one. Five of them have played at least one full season in the majors. Martinez is pretty close. James never even approached it.

Funniest Name

Hardball Dynasty's

James Bong

Analysis: Duuuuuuuuude....

Least-Expensive Player Still Active In The Majors

Hardball Dynasty's

Marino Oliva

Marino Oliva, Tucson Toros 3B: $1.2M
Analysis: It took a while, but Oliva turned out to be a decent player. He put up 28 HR in his only season of full-time major league action and a career minor league OPS of .975 is nothing to turn your nose up at.

Tomas Mateo ($765K) saw major league action with Philadelphia earlier this season but is in AAA right now.

Least-Expensive Player Still Active At Any Level

Paul Gang Durham Bulls Age: 25 B/T: R/R Born: Osaka, JP Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Paul Gang, Durham Bulls 1B: $280K
Analysis: 334 games, all with the same organization. Only 28 games in AAA.

Only three of the 37 least-expensive signings are on active rosters this year.

Huge International Signing

Nashville Stars reached deep into their pockets (17 million deep) and pretty much mortaged their draft for Dominican Republic native Edgar Tarraga. Edgar is an awe inspiring hitter who has great abilities to see the ball and drive the ball to all fields. He will also burn the basepaths and will offer a steady glove in the corner outfields. With a Major League contract and nearly 17 million in signing bonus spent on this slugger, we should be seeing him later this year or in spring training S8.

Impact
This signing brings up a number of concerns for Star fans. While the signing is definately a good move for any team. Rightfield was a position that the Stars already had 2 players viaing for playing time. Juan Guerrero( signed from S11 @ 5.3m/year) and Heath Gibson (sgned through S8 @ 7m/year). Also with the 9th pick in the upcoming draft and only 3 million to spend the Stars are going to have to be very conservative with their picks.

Good Signing Nashville!