The Cincinnati Reds got the international signing period started when the club signed Juan Duran, born in September of 1991, for $2 million.  Yes, a 16-year-old received $2 million.  The guy is two years younger than any player selected in the first round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft.  $2 million is nothing, though.  The Oakland A’s paid $4.25 million for a 6?7 205 lbs 16-year old pitcher named Michael Inoa earlier this year.  No team has ever spent anywhere near that type of money for a non Cuban international amateur player.  However, plenty have paid bonuses greater than $2 million.  The Giants, Reds, and Padres shelled out 2+ million for international players this year and then Reds did so twice (the aforementioned Duran and Yorman Rodriguez).  Is there a method behind this madness?

Let’s look at how international amateur players who have received a $2 million+ bonus in the past have fared thus far…

• Willy Mo Pena (1999) – $2.44 million – Currently injured on the Washington Nationals.  Has not lived up to expectations.  Low batting average, sub-par walk/strikeout ratio, and not much pop for someone who was pegged to be a power hitter.
• Joel Guzman (2001) – $2.255 million – The guy is a 6’6 250lb 3B from the Dominican Republic.  At almost every level leading up to the majors, he was selected as an All-Star.  However, seven years after receiving the large signing bonus, he is still in Triple A with the Durham Bulls after a short stint in the majors.
• Byung-Hyun Kim (1999) – $2.25 million – Kim should be considered in a somewhat different light.  When he received his large bonus, he was already 20-years-old, and thus more developed.  The Diamondbacks gave him a bonus that had much less risk attached to it.  He made is professional debut in 1999 and had what most would consider to be a very successful career up until 2007.
• Chin-Hui Tsao (1999) – $2.2 million – Tsao’s last action in 2008 was with the Triple A Royals club.  In 2003, he made his professional debut with the Rockies and had a few years with little involvement.  In 2007, he found some action with the Dodgers.  Again, a lot paid to a guy who may have not lived up to his expectations.
• Angel Villalona (2006) – $2.1 million – Still a young guy who is showing a lot of potential in the minors.  He had 17 home runs last year and may turn out to be one of the strongest guys on this list.

Overall, have the bonuses been justified?  Are these players worth more than a mid-to-top 1st round pick in the MLB Amateur Draft?  Will Duran and Inoa buck the trend?  Why do teams continue to pay so much for unproven, high-risk international players?

International Bonuses – Worth It? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Baseball

• The Nationals had no problem signing its top draft picks last year, but this year, no such luck thus far [Top Five Picks, Team at Odds Over Bonuses].
• Goodbye to a man who opened up a new market for agents recruiting foreign clients [Nomo's impact hit Majors like a 'tornado'].
• We’ve discussed buscones before.  Here is one tied to our boy, Michael Inoa [Ties between Dominican prospects and bookie raise concerns for MLB].
• I am still not convinced that Gus is guilty [Despite smuggling conviction, agent has no regrets].

Basketball

• The Vegas Summer League has experienced tremendous growth [Summer League on firm ground].
• Is there a higher valued position player than a superstar point guard right now? [Report: Jazz, Williams agree to four-year, $70M extension].
• adidas better get ready to send me a pair [Bulls' Rose gets shoe deal].

Football

• The other Long has signed, meaning that the top 4 picks are with their respective teams for the start of training camp [Rams first-round pick Long agrees to six-year deal].
• Jason Taylor to the Redskins…Jeremy Shockey to the Saints.  Two of my favorite players no longer playing for my favorite teams.
• Brian Urlacher has the potential to make $43.5 million between now and when he turns 35-years-old [Sources: Urlacher to get raise with revised contract].
• The Chargers are showing a lot of faith in someone who is injury prone [Chargers DE Castillo gets $43M in 5-year extension].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The international signing period opens tomorrow, but teams not named the Oakland As ought not to bother trying to woo Michael Inoa and his agent, Adam Katz of WMG.  You thought that WMG was just a powerhouse in the world of basketball?  Think again.  Katz has already verbally agreed to a deal with Billy Beane and the As for his client, which includes a $4.25 million signing bonus.  Sorry, Yankees, but the guy known for his Moneyball tactics beat you in one of his rare money-spending moves.

Michael Inoa Slaughters International Signing Bonus Record from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules