With the 2019-20 international signing period fast approaching, all 30 MLB teams were recently notified of their current bonus pool space in which they can spend on free agents.
According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have $4,821,400 to spend when the period officially begins Tuesday, July 2. The 2018-19 international signing period closed Saturday, June 15.
Teams with greater spending power include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, who each have a maximum bonus pool of $6,481,200 at their disposal.
The Atlanta Braves, still feeling the ramifications of former executive John Coppolella’s lifetime ban, received a bonus pool space of $0. Though, they are still permitted to sign international prospects to contracts with a value of $10,000 or less.
The Dodgers’ overall bonus pool of $4,821,400 was reduced by $500,000 following the signing of A.J. Pollock in free agency this past winter. Inking Pollock also cost the Dodgers a pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, as he’d previously rejected the qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks.
Likewise, the Philadelphia Phillies’ funds for the 2019-20 signing period were cut by the same amount after signing Bryce Harper to a record 13-year contract.
The Dodgers have been active in previous international signing periods, adding the likes of Keibert Ruiz, Yusniel Diaz, Yordan Alvarez and Diego Cartaya, who have emerged as top prospects.
Though, ff the four, Ruiz and Cartaya are all who remain with the Dodgers organization.
Alvarez is now shining with the Houston Astros after being part of the Josh Fields trade in 2016. Meanwhile, Diaz was viewed by the Orioles as the centerpiece of their return upon trading Manny Machado to the Dodgers last season.
