International signings week 5

A flurry of signings in week 5, almost all of them for small change. 19 signings were made, but only 3 for over 1.0 million. 10, as in ten!, of the signings were for 150k or less, mostly less. 7 of these signings were pitchers, catchers, or shortstops, clearly destined for rookie league, and some of us made 50k or so catcher sigings last week. I just had this argument with tzentmeyer in Clemens*, that there were not enough catchers (who could catch) or Center fielders in the draft. He, and the other developers, were of a different opinion. Well, if there are enough catchers in the draft, why did so many of us sign a 50K catcher on draft week?

Three significant money signings were made:

Durham signed P Fernado Sosa for 7.5 million. He rates a + set-up A or so reliever by my advance scouts, and has to be considered a very good signing.

Philadelphia signed SS Joaquin Fernandez for 3.8 million. He has the glove, and will probably develop as a hitter, but the 40 health rating is very risky. If he doesn't get hurt, great signing.

Boston signed P Victor James for 2.1 million. For a 2 mil signing, this guy has incredible stuff, but his health and durability ratings are, well, a disaster. Very risky signing.

NOW HEAR THIS:

Half way through the season, we have ONE signing for more than 10 million. My signing of Manzanillo is the second biggest signing of the season so far, at 9.5 million. This means that a great deal of money is still out there to chase (what sure appears to be) a drastic fall off in talent. Unless several, indeed, many, internationals come through soon, a whole lot of managers are going to be left holding a whole lot of money. So consider yourselves forewarned.