IFA Revview and Update

So, every year these huge bonuses go out to a few select players on the International market. Let's take a look at the progress of these players as they work their way to the bigs.

Year 1
Miguel Infante, Trenton - A 28M signing is now 22 years old and last year went 11-5 with a 3.66 ERA. This guy should be getting better and better. Grade him out as an A, albeit and expensive A.
Cesar Solano, DC - 15M signing is now 25 and has career numbers of a 4.24 ERA a 10-12 record and 25 saves. For that kind of money he gets a B- grade so far.

Year 2
Victor Guillen was a 27M bonus that New York landed. He is just 21 and has numbers last year of 31 HR, 131 RBI and a .307 AVG, that is one stud hitter. A is his grade as one would expect when spending that kind of money.
Juan Guerrero was signed for 19M, he is now 21 and Chicago enjoyed a 10-4 season from him in AA last year. He will be with the big club this year.

Year 3
Fausto Aguilar went for 19M. Seattle has to be pleased with his 12 HR, 73 RBI, .344 AVG in the farm system. He will be with the big club when they break camp this year.
Yoo-Nah Xaio went for 17M,his farm club numbers of 26 HR, 99 RBI and .329 AVG are nice. He will also be in the bigs this year to start the season.

The Year 4 guys are far too new to report on.

FA Signing - Lou DeShields

The big signing of Lou DeShields has taken place. $110,000,000.00 over 5 years with a player option at the end. It is not often that a pithcer like this comes along, and becomes available on the open market. At 29 years of age and the all time leader in Strikeouts, Scranton is making a bid to contend. The question that always comes up with signings like Lou comes downto health and longevity. I have insider knowledge that Boise really didn't want to lose him but lacked the budget to get as high as 10M in bonus money. He is 30 and is coming off of 245 innings pitched last year. It is pretty likely that at the end of the contract his salary will be a negative, but enjoy the ride while he is the man! Other than Del Taylor there is no other pitcher like him in this league.