Editorials

Assessing The Dodgers’ Risk And Reward Of Signing Yoan Moncada

Yoan Moncada

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The latest and greatest Cuban export is 19-year-old Yoan Moncada. Nearly everyone who follows baseball has heard of him by now. Recently, Ken Gurnick gave his thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of the phenom, painting a relatively pessimistic picture of the Dodgers’ chances of landing the slugger due to the penalty tax and other issues that arise.

Let’s take a look at the other side of the coin.

Money

Gurnick correctly points out that the signing of Moncada would cost the Dodgers a great deal of money, $60-80 million by his estimates, once overage fees are factored in. He also points out the fact that the Dodgers have more money than Scrooge McDuck, so finances aren’t likely to hold the club back.

Penalties

Additionally, Gurnick mentions the Dodgers would be “sidelined from any significant international signings for two years.”

The Dodgers would actually be penalized during the next signing period, which begins July 2, 2015. During the current signing period, which began on July 2, 2014, the Dodgers have already spent the majority of their allotted bonus pool, with at least $1.3 million of their allotted $1.9 million doled out, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA.

This means they are free to continue to spend as they please through the current signing period. Were the Dodgers to sign Moncada, they would actually have more incentive to spend, since they’d no longer have to worry about going over their pool.

The other point Gurnick makes, about not signing players in the next signing period, certainly holds weight. However, the club must determine whether they want Moncada or gamble on the field.

Is there going to be a player of Moncada’s caliber available during the next signing period? From all accounts, the answer is no. Getting a player at age 19 with Yasiel Puig-upside is a rarity and there doesn’t appear to be another one available anytime soon. Even if there was, there’s no guarantee the Dodgers would get him.

CONTINUE READING: Moncada’s Effect On The Farm System

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Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

9 Comments

  1. 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.

    1. 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…

      1. 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

    2. dodgers have to do it! if this kid works out we are going to need infielders after this upcoming season.

    3. 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

  2. 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…

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