Reports: Red Sox sign top international free-agent pitchers
Things were looking pretty ugly for the Red Sox these last few weeks. Then they signed two top international free-agents. It was like a peace offering to fans. It’s not much, but it’s something.
CSN New England Reporter Phil Perry breaks down the prospects and Boston’s international spending:
"[Anderson] Espinoza, who is 16 years old [from Venezuala], is one of the top international prospects at any position, ranked tenth overall by MLB.com.Though he’s still developing, his fastball has hit 94 mph on radar guns, and he appears to already have a promising curveball and a changeup as well. He has signed for a reported $1.8 millon.[Chris] Acosta, another 16-year-old righty [but from the Dominican Republic], is the No. 6 international prospect and the top arm available, per MLB.com.He measures in at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and has a fastball that hovers in the 90 mph range. He reportedly got $1.5 million from the Red Sox.Though the organization had a budget of $1.88 million for international signings, they clearly have had no problem exceeding that."
The signings appear promising on paper, however they limit future international spending for the Red Sox. They will not be able to spend more than 300,000 on another international, free agent prospect for the next two years.
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Both Perry and OverTheMonster.com explain that Felix Doubront was a bargain at $150,000 in July of 2004. Hanley Ramirez went for just $20,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2000.
Of course, here we are a decade later trying to make those applicable. The Red Sox better hope another Bryce Harper doesn’t pop up overseas, because they aren’t going to have the liberty to spend on him.