International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Andres Madrigal, 17 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Andres Madrigal hails from San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. He has the potential to be a .310 hitter. He generates excellent raw power with his bat speed. He should be good at knowing when to swing and when not to swing. If Madrigal fulfills his potential, he could make multiple trips to the All-Star Game.
Julio Cuevas, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Julio Cuevas is a long, lean athletic center fielder who was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He can put on a show in batting practice, and as he develops he has the power potential to impact the game. He may not compete for batting titles, but still projects to hit for a .290 batting average. His eye grades out as average and could draw 50 walks each year. Cuevas is a center fielder with plenty of tools and a lot of upside. He has potential to be a first division starter.
It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
David Dettori, 16 year-old LHP out of Venezuela
Jorge Masias, 16 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
Mauricio Paniagua, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
David Patino, 17 year-old RF out of Venezuela
Juan Ponces, 17 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Juan Anaya, 17 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
Alvaro Esparza, 17 year-old LF out of Venezuela
Luis Rivera, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Development Lab Results
Edward Lantigua has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at right field.
• No noticeable changes.
Jimmy Goodman has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.
• Outfield arm rating improves by 5
• Outfield range rating improves by <5
• Outfield error rating improves by 5
Billy Mumaugh has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at left field.
• Outfield arm rating improves by 5
• Outfield range rating improves by 5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5
Rule 5 Draft
Wednesday, December 17th , 2036
RP Robby Denton was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Placed RP David Vela on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Saturday, December 20th , 2036
1B Rogelio Camacho was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Sunday, December 21st , 2036
Traded 31-year old RHP Cade Townsend, 28-year old minor league RF Luis Castro, and $20,000,000 in cash to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 21-year old minor league SS Saul Chaparro in return.
Wednesday, December 24th , 2036
Traded 22-year old minor league RHP Yeiner Kistner and 22-year old minor league RHP Ed Boyer to the Detroit Tigers, getting 19-year old minor league CF Dave Pichler, 17-year old minor league RHP David Padilla, and $20,000,000 in cash in return.
Traded 26-year old SS Ed Nicholson to the New York Mets, getting 17-year old minor league 3B Edgar Chapa and $1,000,000 in cash in return.
Placed RP Gebre-Mariam Ufanisi on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Placed CL Eli Cavanagh on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Lost SP Jonathon Cote in the Rule 5 Draft to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lost 2B Luis Morga in the Rule 5 Draft to the Boston Red Sox.
There were several moves moved by the Royals as the Rule 5 Draft approached. Rogelio Camacho (unable to move beyond 40 Contact) and Robby Denton (losing movement and control with every month of his long term injury) were both designated for assignment while a couple of relievers in Yeiner Kistner (2032 12th Round) and Ed Boyer (2036 Trade SEA) were traded for a lottery ticket prospect from the Tigers, along with $20m in cash.
That cash offset the money the Royals had paid to the Brewers to take Cade Townsend, along with Luis Castro, the return being an elite defensive SS, who has the potential for plus power and above average contact.
The final trade saw SS Ed Nicholson (2029 Trade LAD) sent to the Mets in return for potential plus power, plus-plus contact 3B Edgar Chapa.
On the day of the trade, the Blue Jays pick up Jonathon Cote (2034 Trade DET) while the Red Sox take Luis Morga (2030 Trade HOU). Cote is the bigger loss for the Royals.
Trades & Free Agents
Saturday, December 20th , 2036
Signed free agent SP Min-ho Kim to a 7-year contract worth a total of $189,000,000.
The first major Free Agent signing of Stewart’s tenure as Korean legend Min-ho Kim comes to Kansas City. A four-pitch groundball pitcher that includes an 80-curveball, Kim has plus stuff and control with above average movement that could max out at plus according to KC scouts. Kim’s arrival was the trigger for Townsend moving on with a rotation crunch.
Around the League
Transactions
Wednesday, December 31st , 2036
Milwaukee Brewers: Signed free agent CF Daylen Lile to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,060,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent RP Justin LeGuernic to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,500,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent SP Daniel Nava to a 5-year contract worth a total of $122,000,000.
Tuesday, December 30th , 2036
Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed free agent 3B P.J. Moutzouridis to a 2-year contract worth a total of $16,600,000.
The Seattle Mariners traded 24-year old minor league 2B Jody Kakulka, 21-year old minor league LHP S.D. Waddell, 23-year old minor league RHP A.J. Sayers, and 20-year old minor league RHP Chris Morey to the Pittsburgh Pirates, getting 34-year old RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (retaining 80%) and $1,360,000 in cash in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 21-year old minor league 3B Chris Braun and 19-year old minor league LHP Sergio Velarde to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 32-year old RHP Myung-joo Kim and $1,970,000 in cash in return.
Monday, December 29th , 2036
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent C Endy Rodriguez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed free agent SP Gage Wood to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,040,000.
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent C Johanfran Garcia to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Sunday, December 28th , 2036
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded 30-year old RF Caleb Danzeisen to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 24-year old C Luis Guerra in return.
Saturday, December 27th , 2036
The Texas Rangers traded 19-year old minor league 1B Juan Palma and 22-year old minor league LF Luis Revilla to the Boston Red Sox, getting 33-year old LHP Luis Valdez in return.
Thursday, December 25th , 2036
Seattle Mariners: Signed 3B Keon Johnson to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $29,400,000.
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent RP Jesus Pacheco to a 3-year contract worth a total of $7,480,000.
Wednesday, December 24th , 2036
Boston Red Sox: Drafted CL Juan Bautista in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 1, 1st overall Pick) from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Detroit Tigers: Drafted 1B Art Kaufman in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall Pick) from the Los Angeles Angels.
Washington Nationals: Drafted SP Jesus Banda in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 3, 3rd overall Pick) from the Cincinnati Reds.
Cleveland Guardians: Drafted C Jorge Carrillo in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall Pick) from the Miami Marlins.
Houston Astros: Drafted 2B Pete Ahlers in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 6, 6th overall Pick) from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
St. Louis Cardinals: Drafted 1B Jorge Guerrero in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 7, 7th overall Pick) from the Los Angeles Angels.
Milwaukee Brewers: Drafted LF Enea Guerrero in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 8, 8th overall Pick) from the Atlanta Braves.
Toronto Blue Jays: Drafted RP Jonathon Cote in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 10, 10th overall Pick) from the Kansas City Royals.
Colorado Rockies: Drafted 1B Shaun Bolland in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 13, 13th overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Minnesota Twins: Drafted RP Ed Vanderhart in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 14, 14th overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
New York Yankees: Drafted RP Dusty Mullen in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 20, 20th overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
San Diego Padres: Drafted RP David Vargas in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 23, 23rd overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted SP Vincent Rueda in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 1, 31st overall Pick) from the New York Yankees.
Detroit Tigers: Drafted RP Madhavrao Sajeev in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 2, 32nd overall Pick) from the Los Angeles Angels.
Washington Nationals: Drafted SP Tim Egri in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 3, 33rd overall Pick) from the Atlanta Braves.
Cleveland Guardians: Drafted SP Kevin Moore in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Milwaukee Brewers: Drafted RP Skyler Johnson in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 8, 38th overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Colorado Rockies: Drafted 1B Mike Edwards in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 13, 43rd overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted 3B Luis Morga in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 1, 61st overall Pick) from the Kansas City Royals.
Detroit Tigers: Drafted 2B Alejandro Estrada in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 2, 62nd overall Pick) from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Washington Nationals: Drafted RP Mike Trouten in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 3, 63rd overall Pick) from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cleveland Guardians: Drafted SP Aiden May in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 4, 64th overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Colorado Rockies: Drafted 2B Frank Cervantes in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 13, 73rd overall Pick) from the New York Mets.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted C Pete Barsema in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 4, Pick 1, 91st overall Pick) from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Detroit Tigers: Drafted RP Steve Spell in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 4, Pick 2, 92nd overall Pick) from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Colorado Rockies: Drafted 3B Carson DeMartini in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 4, Pick 13, 103rd overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted RP Jesus Flores in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 5, Pick 1, 121st overall Pick) from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Colorado Rockies: Drafted 3B Jesus Jurado in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 5, Pick 13, 133rd overall Pick) from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted RP Josh Partain in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 6, Pick 1, 151st overall Pick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
St. Louis Cardinals: Drafted RP Donte LeSane in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 6, Pick 7, 157th overall Pick) from the Colorado Rockies.
Boston Red Sox: Drafted RP Jim Pierce in the 2036 Rule 5 Draft (Round 7, Pick 1, 181st overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Tuesday, December 23rd , 2036
New York Mets: Signed free agent RP Christian Foutch to a 2-year contract worth a total of $2,760,000.
The Toronto Blue Jays traded 32-year old 2B Bryan Rincon, 20-year old minor league RF Mike Baird, and $4,520,000 in cash to the Miami Marlins, getting 23-year old minor league LF Jonathan Dixon in return.
The Colorado Rockies traded 21-year old minor league 2B Luis Corral and 24-year old minor league RHP Mauricio Herrera to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 30-year old 2B Joe Poh and $3,360,000 in cash in return.
Monday, December 22nd , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Tobias Myers to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed CF Jamie Wolf to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $66,000,000.
Saturday, December 20th , 2036
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 19-year old minor league LHP Jimmy Kerr, 21-year old minor league RHP David Herrera, and 23-year old minor league LHP David Hurtado to the Toronto Blue Jays, getting 28-year old LHP Jeremy Sidener (retaining 80%) and $1,700,000 in cash in return.
Friday, December 19th , 2036
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent RP Jose Corniell to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,280,000.
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 22-year old minor league 2B Bobby Schulz and 22-year old minor league RHP Elisandy Parker to the Cleveland Guardians, getting 30-year old C Jadon Igbokwe and $1,880,000 in cash in return.
Thursday, December 18th , 2036
The Los Angeles Angels traded 30-year old RHP David Flores to the Chicago White Sox, getting 24-year old minor league RHP Éric Moreno in return.
The Washington Nationals traded 26-year old RHP Alfredo Menjivar to the Seattle Mariners, getting 23-year old minor league LF Mike Edson in return.
Wednesday, December 17th , 2036
Tampa Bay Rays: Signed free agent LF Riley Greene to a 1-year contract worth a total of $12,700,000.
San Antonio Avalanche: Signed free agent RP Ryan Reich to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
The Boston Red Sox traded 28-year old RHP Ronie Elkind to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 18-year old minor league LF Alvaro Fonseca and 20-year old minor league 3B Nelson Cardenas in return.
Tuesday, December 16th , 2036
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent RF Bryce Eldridge to a 4-year contract worth a total of $58,400,000.
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent 2B Rafael Ramirez Jr. to a 2-year contract worth a total of $12,700,000.
Monday, December 15th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent LF J.J. Wetherholt to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,040,000.
Minnesota Twins: Signed free agent LF Dylan O'Rae to a 3-year contract worth a total of $24,600,000.
The Chicago Cubs traded 28-year old minor league RF Jeff Wells to the St. Louis Cardinals, getting 26-year old RHP Dave Cass in return.
Sunday, December 14th , 2036
New York Mets: Signed free agent RF Ronald Acuna Jr. to a 2-year contract worth a total of $25,800,000.
San Antonio Avalanche: Signed SP Payton Martin to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $19,000,000.
St. Louis Cardinals: Signed free agent RF Cam Cannarella to a 4-year contract worth a total of $36,800,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent C Edgar Quero to a 2-year contract worth a total of $11,200,000.
Los Angeles Angels: Signed free agent CF Ben Heiselman to a 7-year contract worth a total of $70,000,000.
The New York Yankees traded 21-year old minor league RHP Josh Webb, 21-year old minor league RHP Chris Estrella, and 23-year old minor league 1B David Constancio to the Chicago White Sox, getting 28-year old CF Brady Harris (retaining 80%) and $4,830,000 in cash in return.
Saturday, December 13th , 2036
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RF Caleb Kelly to a 3-year contract worth a total of $20,600,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent RP Mike Bonetti to a 2-year contract worth a total of $18,700,000.
The Seattle Mariners traded 23-year old minor league RHP Luis Cerda and 24-year old minor league 1B Luis Renta to the Texas Rangers, getting 30-year old RHP Chris Kenworthy in return.
The Seattle Mariners traded 24-year old minor league SS Pete Bollinger to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 31-year old C Enrique Jimenez in return.
Friday, December 12th , 2036
Los Angeles Angels: Signed free agent SS Danny De Andrade to a 4-year contract worth a total of $38,800,000.
Tampa Bay Rays: Signed free agent C Alfredo Duno to a 2-year contract worth a total of $24,600,000.
The Cincinnati Reds traded 24-year old minor league 2B Sean Lytle and 24-year old minor league 3B Jesus Figueroa to the Boston Red Sox, getting 32-year old LF Roman Anthony (retaining 30%) and $550,000 in cash in return.
Thursday, December 11th , 2036
Baltimore Orioles: Signed free agent RP Joe Whitman to a 2-year contract worth a total of $2,360,000.
Wednesday, December 10th , 2036
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent 2B Jesus Veliz to a 5-year contract worth a total of $91,300,000.
Tuesday, December 9th , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent 3B Danny Petty to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
Monday, December 8th , 2036
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent CF Jeremy Thornton to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
The Cincinnati Reds traded 20-year old minor league SS Demias Stubbs to the Houston Astros, getting 30-year old RHP Zion Theophilus in return.
Sunday, December 7th , 2036
The Los Angeles Angels traded 27-year old LF Juan Valle and 23-year old 3B Luis Raez to the New York Mets, getting 34-year old 2B Jordan Lawlar(retaining 15%) and $1,740,000 in cash in return.
Saturday, December 6th , 2036
Seattle Mariners: Signed free agent RF Zac Veen to a 2-year contract worth a total of $2,440,000.
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent 1B Brad Nicastro to a 5-year contract worth a total of $124,000,000.
Friday, December 5th , 2036
St. Louis Cardinals: Signed CF Takashi Toguchi to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $22,200,000.
The Houston Astros traded 32-year old 2B TJ Pompey (retaining 50%) and $260,000 in cash to the San Francisco Giants, getting 20-year old minor league SS Juan Simental and 21-year old minor league LHP Sergio Morales in return.
Thursday, December 4th , 2036
San Francisco Giants: Signed SP Mike Hall to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $18,000,000.
Wednesday, December 3rd , 2036
Tampa Bay Rays: Signed free agent RP Cameron Flukey to a 2-year contract worth a total of $2,440,000.
The Detroit Tigers traded 29-year old LF Danny Beeman to the Colorado Rockies, getting 22-year old 2B Danny Kot and 19-year old minor league 1B Ernesto Valderama in return.
The Cleveland Guardians traded 25-year old minor league SS Mike Edwards and 22-year old minor league RF Lupe Sandoval to the San Antonio Avalanche, getting 31-year old LF Max Wood in return.
Tuesday, December 2nd , 2036
The Colorado Rockies traded 29-year old LHP Joe Kohl to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 18-year old minor league RHP Vincent Huizar and 19-year old minor league C Jesus Cisneros in return.
The San Antonio Avalanche traded 21-year old minor league LF Luis Ramirez and 23-year old minor league RHP Luis Castillo to the Detroit Tigers, getting 36-year old minor league 1B Connor Norby in return.
Monday, December 1st , 2036
The Milwaukee Brewers traded 32-year old LHP Amari Blakes and $2,460,000 in cash to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 23-year old minor league RF Luis Balderas in return.
The St. Louis Cardinals traded 30-year old LHP Ajani Okafor and 20-year old minor league CF Andres Herrera to the Washington Nationals, getting 29-year old RF Josh Armagost (retaining 80%) and $1,560,000 in cash in return.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 30-year old SS Pedro Ibarguen to the San Francisco Giants, getting 21-year old minor league LF Rogelio Gallardo in return.
The Cincinnati Reds traded 24-year old minor league 1B Juan Burgos and 23-year old minor league RHP Vincent Gavan to the Chicago White Sox, getting 30-year old RF Juan Ramirez in return.
Injuries
Friday, December 26th , 2036
Los Angeles Angels: SP Kasper de Waal diagnosed with a hamstring strain, will miss 2-3 months.
Seattle Mariners: CF Alain Ballesteros diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 4 months.
New York Yankees: SP Vicente Troncoso diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, will miss 13-14 months.
Tuesday, December 23rd , 2036
Los Angeles Dodgers: SP Tolentino Estevains diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 4-5 months.
Sunday, December 21st , 2036
Cincinnati Reds: SP Jesus Grosjean diagnosed with a torn labrum, will miss 4-5 months.
Friday, December 5th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: Juan Jaramillo has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 9 months.