Dodgers to make international splash?

[Rich the Giants fan]

Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig has reached agreement on a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.

"Puig's contract with the Dodgers should be completed by Friday. The young man could play in the major leagues this year, maybe in time to help with the race for the playoffs or the World Series," said the source, who added that the agreement includes some clauses that could permit Puig to become a free agent after his fourth year.

The 21-year-old Puig batted .330 with 17 home runs, 47 RBIs and 78 runs scored in 327 at-bats with the Cienfuegos Elefantes in the 2010-11 Cuban National Series. He averaged .370 in 46 at-bats in the playoffs.


Law: Dodgers Go Overboard
The Dodgers overpaid to land Cuban defector Yasiel Puig, in what must be a bizarre overreaction to the looming international spending cap, Keith Law

[Rich the Giants fan]

The Dodgers' seven-year, $42MM deal with Cuban prospect Yasel Puig has stunned many international scouting directors, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. Puig's signing has caused a "huge disparity of opinion around the game," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, who cites one scout that rated Puig as worth just a $500K contract.

[jnakamura]

According to Jon Heyman, the offer he accepted from the Dodgers was not even the best offer he received. The Dodgers were not the only team willing to sign him for that kind of money.

It's a gamble, but he appears to be a 5 tool beast in the making.

[Rich the Giants fan]

He hasn't played in about a year, and reports say he's currently not in playing shape.

He also gave scouts the runaround in Mexico when he decided to go back-and-forth between two agents.

Whole story on Baseball America.

[GiambiJuice]

It's not like Ned Colletti has ever handed out a bad contract before...

[UnderPressure]

According to Jon Heyman, the offer he accepted from the Dodgers was not even the best offer he received. The Dodgers were not the only team willing to sign him for that kind of money.

It's a gamble, but he appears to be a 5 tool beast in the making.

Plus, he's only 21. Unlike Cespedes, who is already in his mid-20s.

[DownUnderDodger]

He can't be any worse than the current offense! Vin Scully seems to think it is a good move but it smacks of desperation to me.

[Rich the Giants fan]

This thread isn't about the Dodgers, or even started by a Dodgers fan, but about the signing of a Cuban baseball player, with an eye towards a debate over whether or not Los Angeles overpaid by several million dollars or if they just signed the next big thing.

[jnakamura]

.... a debate over whether or not Los Angeles overpaid by several million dollars or if they just signed the next big thing.

Kind of hard to debate something that no one will have the answer to for at least 2 or 3 years down the road.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

excellent point but then that confirms it is a gamble, an expensive one at that

Kind of hard to debate something that no one will have the answer to for at least 2 or 3 years down the road.

[SamtheBravesFan]

excellent point but then that confirms it is a gamble, an expensive one at that

Not to nitpick, but under that logic, any free agency signing is a gamble. It doesn't matter if the player has major league experience.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Kind of hard to debate something that no one will have the answer to for at least 2 or 3 years down the road.

I'm sorry, did no one discuss Cespedes when he signed? I think this is relevant.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

42 million for an unproven player by a desperate franchise trying to beat a deadline

Not to nitpick, but under that logic, any free agency signing is a gamble. It doesn't matter if the player has major league experience.

[Richard]

The writers at BA were puzzled mentioning many scouts were indifferent.

[jnakamura]

excellent point but then that confirms it is a gamble, an expensive one at that

No denying that. I think it's a good bet to place if you're the Dodgers. Puig is not what I'd call a longshot. If the odds are good and you've got deep pockets, make the bet.

Heck, the Dodgers threw $21m down the toilet signing Juan Uribe.