A's ready to open up checkbook for Michel Inoa???

by Bud Light on Jun 12, 2008 8:09 AM PDT Comment 40 comments

According to multiple reports the A's are the leading team to sign 16 year old phenom from the Dominican republic for excess 3 million.

This would be groundbreaking for the A's organization and if it becomes reality will be a huge boost for the organization.

They are already seeing dividends by the larger bonuses in a smaller signing of Arnold Leon who as a 19 yr old is more than holding his own in Stockton.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Arnold%20Leon&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=504186

Plus soon the 350,000 Robin Rosorio should be making his US debut.

In my opinion outbidding the big boys for some young talent re enforces the ownerships true commitment to winning.

Here are the links on the Inoa signings:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3433834

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2008/266316.html

1 recs | Comment 40 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

not gonna lie

i am surprised

"It's not my fault your team's so shitty." -Steve Friend, head coach, Chabot College, to Laney College's head coach, who asked why we scored so many runs after we beat Laney 30-3 in 2006

by flipgatey3 on Jun 12, 2008 8:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

they will put a great effort to signing Iona, based upon the fact that Billy and Lew both personally visited the D.R. to watch him. This is finally the type of aggressiveness the A’s need to show to unearth previously unattainable talent.

BTW, does anybody know about Leon’s season schedule? He was still appearing for Stockton as of June 9th. I have read that The A’s only had him through the end of May and then he was off to Mexico for their summer league.

by TheRaiderWay on Jun 12, 2008 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, he's supposed to go to the Mex Summer League as soon as it starts

then we get him back after the season.

Maybe it starts the same time Short Season starts?

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What team is he gonna play for?

"These Boston People Are AWFUL"

by Brillz on Jun 12, 2008 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he's with Saltillo

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A week or two back, I found a link...

...from when the Ports were at the Coliseum for an autograph session where Leon said he’d be in Stockton until June 15.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jun 12, 2008 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds great, but...

I would much rather us go after Dayan Viciedo, the 3rd basemen from Cuba. Infield depth is a major weakness in the system right now, and a 3rd basemen with power would be a great addition

by webgem101 on Jun 12, 2008 8:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We can't "Go After" him

He defected to the US, so he can’t be signed, he has to be drafted (see: Arial Prieto).

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, it's a legal limbo

He did not land initially in the US. His initial landing was in, I believe, Mexico. However, he subsequently established residency in the US. I don’t think the argument that he was already draft-eligible and wasn’t picked (thus making him a free agent) is going anywhere; that would open the draft up to all kinds of manipulations. But whether he’s considered to be based in Mexico or the US? That I don’t know.

I’d certainly be in favor of making him draft-eligible. Of course, I think all players should be draft-eligible, so…

As for his value? Well, I gather that he plays third base a lot like Angel Villalona does… or Brett Wallace… i.e. he’s a first baseman in third baseman’s clothing.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really ...

his agent is praying that they’ll be able to figure out a loophole—it ain’t gonna work. He established residency in the United States so he is subject to the draft. He did not notify Major League Baseball that he wished to be made eligible for the 2008 draft (what, does he expect them to scan the INS logs for any potential immigrants?) so he has to wait until 2009.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 12, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two problems

First, Viciedo has not been declared a free agent, and may be subject to the 2009 Draft. Second, there are serious doubts about how good he actually is. If he is declared a free agent the A’s should scout him, but the A’s scouts wil have to decide whether he is actually good or not.

by BlameChannel53 on Jun 12, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm very pleased

Even if the A’s don’t end up signing Inoa, the fact that they are seriously in the mix is very encouraging news. The A’s newfound interest in international amateurs, and their wilingness to draft a few more actual upside picks in the middle and late rounds of the Rule 4 Draft, will pay big dividends in the future.

by BlameChannel53 on Jun 12, 2008 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Im behind the A's going after him and others like him

I am also behind on what position the Inoa kid plays? as well as Robin Rosorio ?

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 12, 2008 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Inoa is a RHP, Rosorio is an OF

by mikev on Jun 12, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Inoa is a pitcher

Rosario is a center fielder, supposedly with an amazing throwing arm.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a great idea

Even if it doesn’t pan out on this one specific guy (and the odds of that are pretty likely). The Latin American player market is finally starting to correct toward what the players are actually worth, but in the meantime it’s downright irresponsible for any team to not get as much top-tier talent as it can.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 9:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but still - $4M for a 16 year old?

by mikev on Jun 12, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's being talked about as a guy who would be a contender for the #1 overall pick

if he was subject to the draft.

Hell yes, $4M for that kind of talent. You get what you pay for in international signings. There’s a good reason why the A’s have only generated one legitimate Latin big-leaguer since Ramon Hernandez.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer to spend that money on hitters, though ...

I believe you that the talent is there … but he’s probably 4-5 years from the bigs … which is a long time to keep a shoulder from blowing up …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 12, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, me too

but you take what you can get, and I basically trust Beane and Forst to get the guys they can get at a price that’s worthwhile. These guys are free agents—if a guy has worn a Yankees jersey every day for the last 6 years, what can you do?

Also worth noting, these guys are young enough that a position switch isn’t at all out of the question if they have great athletic ability.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well remember.....

Felix Hernandez got up within a couple of years. I’m not saying Inoa is an equivilant talent but if they think he’s worth it and the A’s strongly believe in bloodlines then DO IT BILLY!

by AthleticsReign on Jun 12, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thankfully

if they buy him at 16, they’ll have a lot more control over the development of that arm. They can limit the number of pitches, types of pitches extra and bring along slowly. While there’s still a chance for the shoulder to blow, it’s a lot safer than, say, a college pitcher throwing several hundred pitches in a weekend for the CWS and who knows what throughout HS & College.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Jun 12, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's true

But Beane and company obviously believe pitching is the key to winning more than anything else. Just look at what they targeted in all those deals.

by Blez on Jun 12, 2008 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Rangers are proof of that.

by OldhamA on Jun 13, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You Must Remember:

They are building for the big move to Oklahoma City. :)

Pride And Poise!!!

by saint on Jun 13, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

...Gregorio Petit has game.

Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com

by Ozzz on Jun 12, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He does, and I've been one of his bigger advocates here...

but I don’t see many All-Star Game selections in his future.

Fun to watch, though.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll believe it when I see it

Show me the money.

by Mark Borgschulte on Jun 12, 2008 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"believe it when I see it"

That was my exact reaction when I read of the A’s interest.

My second reaction was that if other teams hear the Athletics of all teams are willing to pay $4M for him, the guy must really be worth it and will raise their own offers accordingly. I have to think Beane and co. are too smart to let out any information of that they might think he’s worth.

It would be great to see, but I’m not counting on it.

by rageon on Jun 12, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

please be true please be true please be true...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 12, 2008 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure the info is true-- it's very well fleshed out

That doesn’t mean someone can’t bid the price higher, of course.

In some ways it’s more like college recruiting than it is like a standard baseball transaction. You just never know until a guy actually puts pen to paper (which won’t happen here until at least July 2).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In a way its somewhat strange that the A's are (if they really are) paying big bucks for foriegn talent

while going cheap on their top pick in the draft.

Of course, the reason they went cheap in the draft could be because they wanted this guy.

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it is strange if you assume that they "went cheap"

Similarly, if you assume that the Sun revolves around the Earth, a lot of astronomical phenomena make no sense.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 12, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second that LOL

by Blez on Jun 12, 2008 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will be well worth it to win the bidding

If but for nothing else…It gets the A’s name out there as serious contenders to sign these international FAs. Most Agents and players will associate the Yankees, Redsox, LA’s and such to big time spenders there. If they see the A’s dumping significant money on a player they will start to get more calls from the Agents repping these players.

by AthleticsReign on Jun 12, 2008 11:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Exciting News

While a lot can happen between now and international signing day, I for one, am excited about this. I was content with the expanded scouting budget and the idea that we would be active in the second-tier international market, but I didn’t expect to see the A’s playing with the big boys and going for 7-figure big names. Even if we don’t get this guy I like the idea that now when the next Miguel Cabrera, Angel Villalona, or Jesus Monteiro is getting hyped up I can at least rationally hope that the A’s have a chance at getting them.

by DiegoAsFan on Jun 12, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised....

...if Beane went down there under cover of scouting Inoa when he, in fact, has a different player or players that he wants to get a look at without raising another team’s interests.

In the past, he’s specifically not sent scouts to watch target players to throw the other teams off the trail of someone he wanted to draft. I can’t remember the player I heard him doing this for, but it was someone mentioned in Moneyball. Swisher?

It’s either that, or he just wanted to watch some soccer. ;)

by LoneStranger on Jun 12, 2008 12:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah it was swisher

i’m sure they checked out inoa and other players as well.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 12, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And you have to figure

That if they don’t get Inoa, they will probably go after another player of a similar caliber. Very nice to see & really the materialization of a shift in organizational philosophy.

by GusanoQuemador on Jun 12, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs