Assessing The Dodgers’ Risk And Reward Of Signing Yoan Moncada
Rebuilding the Farm
Gurnick says that “accepting a signing ban is no way to rebuild a sustainable farm system,” which is fair, though one could argue that adding a potential star to the system has more impact than gambling on a gaggle of 16 year olds.
In their last two signing periods, the Dodgers have given out their biggest bonuses to Lucas Tirado and Romer Cuadrado, neither of whom are anywhere close to the Majors nor considered top prospects.
Not only would Moncada immediately qualify as one of the Dodgers’ top-five prospects, he’d likely be considered a Top-50 prospect in all of baseball. While depth is nice to have in a farm system, star power can’t be rivaled.
The Dodgers would still be allowed to sign international players, just for a limited amount of money ($250,000). Sure, they won’t compete for the top 16 year olds, but they haven’t done that in over a decade.
And while Gurnick may not be open to this approach, the Dodgers seem to be open to it. Farhan Zaidi has come out in favor of signing Moncada, while Jesse Sanchez reported that the club may have actually outbid the Diamondbacks for Yoan Lopez (but Lopez chose Arizona due to a quicker path to the big leagues) and remember, the Dodgers had some of their top brass at a recent showcase starring another Cuban, Hector Olivera.
So, what do you think? Should the Dodgers bet the farm on Moncada or take a more even-handed approach to their international signings? Feel free to let me know on Twitter @JaredJMassey.
You have to take some calculated risks to get ahead. I’m definitely a fan of building our farm system, but getting potential studs is rare and hard to pass up.
I agree that the risk is worth it,,,but that is an awful lot of cash for a 19 year old kid who has never played a full season anywhere…
who cares about money at this point? the talent is universally acclaimed, there’s no good reason to pass him up save for a ridiculous overpay
dodgers have to do it! if this kid works out we are going to need infielders after this upcoming season.
name the past 5 Dodgers who took home the top international bonuses in the international arena in their respective years? I mean most don’t even make it out of AA
I only have three words to say. “Sign this Kid!”
Spend the money. We need BATS.
calculated risk….switch hitting 5 tool player who plays multiple positions. Do not think super sub, they sign him for that much cash, he is a starter……but only 18…a couple of years away at least…
Getter’ done……..