MLB Draft Deadline Signing Day Roundup: Starling Signs and Royals Spend Big

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Kansas City Royals Minor Leagues

Everyone woke up feeling good this morning, as the Royals did what they needed to do, signing most of their key pieces. The highest pick who spurned the Royals was 8th round selection Evan Beal, who choose to head to South Carolina. (Shakes fist.)
Of course, the biggest news of the night was Starling's signing, which Old Man stayed up to cover for us. Really, in the last few years, they've all seemed very hyped to me, although there are numerous mentions of Starling being the most watched, scrutinized, awesome, etc. For example, the subhead on one of the stories from the official page referred to Starling as "ultra-athletic." Well then. The fact that he secured the largest bonus in team history is interesting, but not really. Newsflash, things cost more now. Inflation, plus Starling having that little extra bit of leverage, plus a dash of him being a great talent, added up to $7.5 million.

Kudos to team ownership for signing off on another year of spending big in the draft. This is absolutely what the Royals have to do. Without ownership's willingness to spend heavily, year after year, a top flight farm system just isn't possible. Another small-market team, Pittsburgh, shocked the baseball world by signing Josh Bell, who was previously considered a lock to sign with Texas, and it only cost $5 million. (Wow. Lots of teams missed on that one.) The Indians also spent big. There was a small window when the Royals may have enjoyed an advantage as one of the few big-money players, but it looks like that time has passed.

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In case anyone remember Jason Esposito

The Royals allegedly had a $1.5 million deal with him out of HS, but he backed out and went to Vanderbilt. Signed with the Orioles for $600k.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Well

Now he is smarter with less cash, just like every other graduate

by 102win on Aug 16, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

And

He got to boink hot college girls instead of small town trailer trash!!

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

by Royal Kingdom on Aug 16, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Trailer Trash Is

Hot!

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

And better in bed

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Promiscuous And Eager

To please.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

And filthy

(mostly in a good way)

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

There is nothing like poverty to bring the best out of a woman.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Nats spent $17 mill on their top six draft picks alone

Doesn’t really seem like the Tribe spent that much – $4.7 mill on two players, but who else did they go overslot on?

I would guess the Pirates, Royals and Nats are the three biggest spenders with maybe the Jays and Mariners up there.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

I may have misunderstood the narrative on the Tribe, defniitely

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Cleveland

has been a big spender in the draft in recent years (2008-10).

2008-10 Draft Bonus Spending

1. Pirates $30,599,800
2. Red Sox $28,274,800
3. Nationals $28,200,200
4. Orioles $24,806,600
5. Royals $24,502,000
6. Indians $21,309,000
7. Rays $21,076,300
8. Blue Jays $20,849,100
9. Rangers $20,560,300
10. Tigers $20,438,500

The next ten were bunched up between $20.1 million and $17.5 million.

BA will likely provide figures including this year’s draft in a few days.

by Gopherballs on Aug 16, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And

Here is the international signing expenditures for 2010. I cannot find a BA chart showing the cumulative spending like for the one for draft bonuses.

1. Mariners $6.47 million
2. Yankees $5.27 million
3. Astros $5.13 million
4. Pirates $5.00 million
5. Athletics $4.73 million
6. Blue Jays $4.18 million
7. Cubs $4.16 million
8. Rangers $3.57 million
9. Braves $3.28 million
10. Padres $2.75 million
11. Royals $2.70 million

by Gopherballs on Aug 16, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone have ballpark figures for how much

the teams above the Royals have spent since 2010? Seems like Hernandez and Mondesi alone would vault the Royals into the top 5 in a cumulative list over the last 2-3 years.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 16, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Top LA FA signings

Ranked by BA:
Elier Hernandez – KC $3.05 million
Ronald Guzman – TEX $3.5 million
Victor Sanchez – SEA (estimated $2.5-$2.8 mill)
Roberto Osuna – TOR $4 million
Wilmer Becerra – TOR (terms not disclosed)
Dawel Lugo – TOR $1.3 million
Jose Ruiz – SDP $1.1 million
Marack Malave – CHC (terms not disclosed)
Luis Enrique Acosta – CHC $1.1 million
Nomar Mazara – TEX $5 million
Helsin Martinez – reportedly signed with SEA for $2 million, but they said there was no deal yet
Adalberto Mondesi – KCR $2 million
Luis Reynoso – HOU $700k
Dorsyss Paulino – CLE $1.1 million
Harold Ramirez – PHI $1.05 million
Manuel Marcos – BOS $800k
Raimel Flores – BOS $900k
Franmil Reyes – unsigned?
Yohander Mendez – TEX $1.5 million
Miguel Andujar – NYY $750k
Jesus Gonzalez – TOR (terms not disclosed)
Miguel Gonzalez – MIN $650k
Elvis Escobar – PIT $575k
Jose Garcia – NYM (terms not disclosed)
Carlos Tocci – unsigned?
Adelin Santa – DET $750k
Antonio Senzatela – COL (terms not disclosed)
Mauricio Silva – unsigned?
Anthony Santander – CLE $385k
Ricardo Marcano – CHC (terms not disclosed)
Manuel Gonzalez – unsigned?
Gialy Arias – unsigned?
Manuel Cordoba – TOR (terms not disclosed)
Sanber Pimentel – unsigned?
Jose Godoy – STL $200k
Eric Otanez – TBR (terms not disclosed)
Yairo Munoz – unsigned?
Soid Marquez – unsigned?
Jonathan Perez – CIN $825k
Arturo Michelena – HOU $220k

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

In a given year...

…I wonder how many Latin American kids sign for $100K, $50K, 25K, etc. Would the Royals other LA signings (if any) add up to another $250K? $100K? Less than that?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

On the flip side

Yanks signed a total of $6 million on the draft. And the A’s did not sign a single over-slot player, and only one prep player in all.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

the milk i just bought from CVS is THE MOST EXPENSIVE bottle of milk in HISTORY

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

what brand?

A fan of everything Royals and Jaguars....................Chris Getz forever

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 16, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

DOESNT MATTER

MOST EXPENSIVE EVER

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Just a bottle?

Or a carton or gallon

A fan of everything Royals and Jaguars....................Chris Getz forever

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 16, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Magnesia?

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

by Royal Kingdom on Aug 16, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I am going to guess you have never bought milk in Hawaii

by Gopherballs on Aug 16, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I used to take quite a bit from mess hall.

I couldn’t afford it otherwise.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Barrow, Alaska

Gallon of milk = $11

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 16, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It Was $6.50

In Dillingham when I was there in 1981.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

DAMN

That’s $15.39 in 2010 dollars. I guess I’d be giving up my morning cereal if I ever moved up there.

I suppose I’d just switch to bourbon instead. Wait…how much is a fifth of Makers up there?

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 16, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I Haven't Been

There since. I decided to start a business in Anchorage instead of transferring there for the bank I worked for.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Any my afternoon and evening cereal.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Aug 16, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

OT

Over Under on Moose HR the rest of the year
2 1/2

A fan of everything Royals and Jaguars....................Chris Getz forever

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 16, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

gotta have that at 1.5

but this isn’t an open thread

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

my bad

A fan of everything Royals and Jaguars....................Chris Getz forever

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 16, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Over :4

He hits the magical #5 HR last game of the season to end his batting woes

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Aug 16, 2011 1:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Dayton Moore has just signed a miniature giraffe to a $9 million deal

Why? BECAUSE HE CAN!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

mini giraffes = the new market inefficiency

He has a plus neck and a plus neck.

by Yunielateral Movement on Aug 16, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

What movie is that from?

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Aug 16, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

TV Commercial

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

DirecTV

A fan of everything Royals and Jaguars....................Chris Getz forever

by tiquanunderwear on Aug 16, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I Hope They

Bring them back.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

The last two DirecTV "rich guy" commercials

haven’t been nearly as entertaining.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 16, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

True

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

There's just something about the cheeseball

newly-rich, Eastern European stereotype that is so much fun.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 16, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

if I had that kind of scratch

I’d shrink a giraffe too. Why wouldn’t you?

2011 Royals Review NCAA Bracket Challenge Winner, by process of attrition

by sfeldkamp on Aug 16, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Petro just said he heard that Binford got 700K

don’t know if that’s true but pretty high

Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

8 players over $600K is impressive

and smart.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Brewers had 0 last year if JJ Coopers tweet was right yesterday

Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

You know, I've been thinking

I think moneyball, as a concept is dead, or getting close to it. In this age of way information access no team can really find a market inefficiency and exploit it long enough to get a championship. Theres just too much information and analysis for any trend to remain secret for long.
That being said I think there is one more market inefficiency in play, and thats the value of prospects. Teams are currently way over valuing prospects compared to established players. I’m not saying to trade the farm, but I think the first team to make some trades of great prospects for great veterans could have a couple of years of easy contention. I don’t think that is the path for every team, but I do think a team like the pirates with a good farm and a division that should be winnable in the next year or two, could clean up the trade market and give themselves 3 or 4 division titles while they try to restock the system.

"We don’t have guys with a long history of being effective in the seventh and eighth innings."
~Trey Hillman, master of understatements.

by RoyalPug on Aug 16, 2011 12:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

There will always be market inefficiencies in baseball

but as you suggest probably not on the scale of the early 00’s A’s exploitation of OBA and other statistical analysis.

Overvaluing prospects right now is probably one of them. Toronto found a market inefficiency in picking up players involved in petty disputes with their former teams. The Rays have found a bunch (even though each only provided an extra 2%).

by Gopherballs on Aug 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

There's always innovation

No, market inefficiencies won’t stay a secret for long. But with constantly evolving and improving analysis (and modes of analysis), new market efficiencies can always be found. But a FO can’t just rest on its laurels and think it has “figured it out.” You have to keep working hard, improving, re-thinking, re-evaluating, thinking outside the box and looking for the new way to get a step ahead of the competition.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Disagree

I agree that old ineffieciencies like OBA are no longer inefficiencies, but no industry – baseball in particularly – will be a completely efficient system. There will always be gaps, things overlooked – its just going to be harder to quantify perhaps.

New fields could be things like kiniesiology and preventing injuries, defense, baserunning, roster usage, bullpen usage, and psychology (team chemistry!)

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

And the raft of Pitch f/x, Hit f/x and Field f/x data provides a big opportunity

Using that data better than other teams can give a significant advantage in talent and performance evaluation.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

theres also just the general see-sawing up and down of trends

not so much things that are overlooked, as just over or under-utilzied

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point

You’re never going to focus on EVERYTHING that needs to be focused on. That lends itself to things being overlooked.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, I think you can take advantage of big and small market effientcies

The Yankees have had to play Posada and Jeter because they are local heroes (and the Steinbenner sons have no balls). Blocked talent by aging vets is a source of talent.

Big market teams can definitely take players that other teams aren’t willing to pay for.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I am worried that the days of teams truly undervaluing prospects is just about over

by Freneau on Aug 16, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

You'd think

But it still seems like its only a handful of teams using this to their advantage. The Pirates, Royals, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Nats all seem to be aggressive, but teams like the Astros, Cubs, Yankees, White Sox and surprisingly the A’s seem to still pay guys slot for the most part (weird cause the Yanks used to go over slot all the time).

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

He means more in terms of trades.

The old fashioned “trade old guys for young studs” mantra doesn’t work anymore. Teams just are not as willing to trade prospects away as they were a few years ago, even for immediate help. For an Ubaldo or someone, yes, but for your run of the mill good but not amazing player it is getting far harder to extract young talent in return.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on Aug 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, yes, I agree

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

The one area I think teams are behind on is injuries.

the White are insanely ahead of the rest of the league and have been for years. I am not sure other teams are catchting up.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

And the A's seem to be consistently losing tons of guys to injuries

Very odd in Oakland.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The twist is per Beane, the A's made a major injury prevention effort in the last few years

by Gopherballs on Aug 16, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Talking to some White Sox execs at ST, they said that health is a huge focus.

They said that they are able to work with the people that came through their system and they can be maintained relatively health, Free Agents are a whole different story. I wonder since the A’s are in such flux, they are not able to get steady health program for their players.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Makes sense they signed Adam Dunn

You can’t pull fat.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel the Brewers are in this boat right now

And the Phillies also. Both teams are generally all in.

I think the one worry I would have is to be in the Astro’s boat. They bet the farm, missed and are now years away from thinking of contending.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Aug 16, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Do we have a final tally of how much this draft cost yet?

Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2006: Royals win% = .4218, Chiefs win% = .3625

by averagegatsby on Aug 16, 2011 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

at about 13M+ in known bounuses. add in the international guys and its somewhere in the 17-18M range

by BeauJackson on Aug 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it is like $13-14 for the draft (depending on this new report on Binford). And then around $6M in international FA’s over the past year (which is of course seperate from the amateur draft).

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions