International Signings

by ARAM FOR MVP on May 10, 2008 9:48 PM CDT Comment 12 comments

This may not be thread worty, but I wanted to get your guys' thoughts.

I was looking around on BA and noticed we only signed 2 guys during the International Signing Period. Other teams like the Royals were stacking up studs from the Dominican and Venezuela.

I just don't understand why we aren't getting in on any of the big time players from down there. I realize we signed the top pitcher 2 years ago, Larry Suarez from Venezuela, but I think we need to get a little more involved down there.

What are your thoughts on this?

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I'm really bored, and apparently we recently just signed a flat out stud from Korea.

http://eastwindupchronicle.com/east-prospect-watch-lee-hak-ju/

Says he gets to first base in 4 seconds. That’s Ichiro territory.

He’s a SS, who’s 18 and got a 1 million bonus. That’s more than Suarez got and he was a top 10 prospect. This guy could be awesome.

Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on May 10, 2008 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

They just signed him today?

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 10, 2008 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it had been rumored for about a month, and the article confirms it. It was written on the 30th.

Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on May 10, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The article says he has better tools than Jeter did in high school. Sweeeet..

Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on May 10, 2008 10:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so we will have him in the minors next year is that my understanding?

by BelieveinBlue2314 on May 11, 2008 12:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep. Going to Australia after High Schools out, and then he'll be in America by Spring Training.

Very polished player. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him up by 20, or 21. They said he has a better skill set than Jeter did, and this guy will beat out grounders to short.

Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on May 11, 2008 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who is "they"?

And exactly what credentials does “they” have?

Formerly Big Red (victim of the SBNation upgrade)

by Tackle Box on May 11, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Theriot keeps it up

Where will we have a spot for him? If Theriot can consistently bat .300 we’d need him. Mark DeRosa’s 34, perhaps they can move him to second. Then what would they do with Tony Thomas?

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 11, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well hes a lot younger

and faster, and more left handed than Theriot, so thats all in his favor, but it is nice to see the Cubs tapping emerging markets…wasnt Hee-Seop Choi Korean?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on May 11, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please

There is way too much obsession with ensuring that every prospect or near prospect has a clear and defined path to the majors. It was just a couple of years ago that people were concerned about finding room in the rotation for the likes of Angel Guzman and Juan Mateo. These things usually work themselves out.

If Theriot continues to hit .300 and if Tony Thomas is ready to start in few years then maybe Hendry can let Theriot go free agent and start Thomas and save money. By that time Theriot, the perennial .300 hitter, will want a big contract.

by rlpete on May 11, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um ...

Theriot is a career .285 hitter who slugs .385 and is an average at best fielder at SS (list all the SS in MLB and tell me he ranks higher than 20 defensively).
He’s not blocking anybody.
But the soonest Hak-ju will be ready is like 2012 (and that’s best-case). Even if this kid ends up being a stud and makes the Show, by the time it happens, Theriot will be long gone … or, at least, manning 2nd.

rain delay theatre

by rob9802 on May 12, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs