NEWSLETTER
We haven’t even gotten to the June draft, and we yet we already have big news regarding the July 2 start of the international free agent signing season.
The Cubs went on an expensive signing splurge a couple years ago, and as a result they were hit with two years of limitations that forbade them from signing any player for more than $300,000. This is year two of those restrictions. However, as we’ve discussed in the past, due to the fact that pretty much all the good prospects from Mexico are affiliated with a Mexican League team, there is a loophole that effectively allows the Cubs to still make very high profile signings out of Mexico while staying under the limits. Only the part of the bonus that goes to the player counts against the cap, but in Mexico the team and/or league keep a large portion of that bonus. As a result, the Cubs can make a higher dollar signing with a lower cap figure.
And it looks like the Cubs are going to use that technique again this year, and it could net them one of the better arms available. Ben Badler of Baseball America is reporting (subscription needed) that Florencio Serrano appears to be headed to the Cubs. Serrano is a 17-year-old pitcher with a good fastball and promising secondary stuff who could be a bit in the rotation or the bullpen.
The fact that the Cubs may be able to land high end international talent while being subjected to the spending limits is a very good thing; keeping their farm system stocked to the level they will need to maintain a winner in Chicago is not going to be easy under the current CBA. The Cubs will need to get as much talent as they can at every opportunity, and moves like this (if it comes to fruition) are an excellent start.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Nashville 5, Iowa 2
The Cubs coughed up a ninth inning lead.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Montgomery 9, Tennessee 2
The bullpen pitched five and a third scoreless innings in this one.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 4, Down East 2
Plenty of hits meant the Pelicans’ two errors really didn’t matter.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 5, Dayton 4
With three in the ninth, the Cubs pulled to within a game of an automatic playoff slot.
Other Notes
