The Astros are closely monitoring the Cuban, according to Zachary Levine... This would be a big coup if the Astros were to land him, although it seems like wishful thinking at this point. I'd think that he could instantly become a top-5 prospect in the system. Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) Link leads to this story: http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...-luhnow-looks-to-grow-latin-american-profile/
Very interesting. We have quite a few young OF prospects though. Martinez, Springer, Ovando, Santana. I guess you can never have enough though.
I read somewhere that Soler will likely sign a five year deal for 15 to 20 large. That type of deal would make a pretty big bet on a 19 year old that may need 5 years of minor league development.
Chapman signed for $30+ million for 6 years by the Reds a couple of years ago. If the money approaches that, I would pass because of the risk. Give me 10 Ariel Ovandos for that price.
Especially since none of them are guaranteed stars. Santana/Ovando/Springer are all very high upside players, but are all guys considered to have big holes in their swings.
It's not my money so I hope they sign him. The more talent with star potential in the system the better.
I'm lovin things in the early going with this regime. Don't spend of garbage and build within. I just hope in 3 or 4 years when we hopefully need to spend money on free agents or out own guys, we spend it. Money is available here, were not the Yankees, but we aren't the pirates either.
I think Soler profiles pretty similar to Domingo Santana, but probably with more raw power. Instead of "plus", or 20-30 HR potential, Soler may have as high as 35 HR potential. He has questions about his hit tool, like Santana; scouts don't know whether he'll be able to hit MLB breaking balls. His plus-plus power, plus arm, solid-average speed combination probably put him in the top 100 of prospects. There is still a big risk factor with him.
You have to take risks to be successful. I'm ok with them doing this with youth because the potential long term reward could be huge. I say go for it. If he signs elsewhere, don't let it be because the Astros weren't aggressive enough.
LET'S DO THIS!!! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jorge Soler is now a free agent! Time to start the bidding <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Astros">#Astros</a>! It's time to be aggressive!</p>— Sean (@native_astro) <a href="https://twitter.com/native_astro/status/208947828595245056" data-datetime="2012-06-02T15:46:59+00:00">June 2, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Let the bidding on Soler begin. He had been waiting to be cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/208946305463091202" data-datetime="2012-06-02T15:40:55+00:00">June 2, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
20 mil for a 19 year old. Unless its Bryce harper I got to pass. I would rather they signed 40 guys at 500k.
Understandable. But like leroy said, you have to be willing to take these risks. If the Astros get him, great. That's a top-10, maybe top-5 guy that's been added to the system. If not, then life goes on. I'd much rather take a shot at him and fail than stand pat.
My stance hasn't changed. I'd be more pissed to know that they never even considered it rather than making a real effort and losing out. You can't hit if you don't swing. Signed, Bizzaro Morgan Ensberg
Open to interpretation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From a team reported to be in on Soler: "A lot of raw power…runs from breaking balls…flinches…runs around the OF like an 80-year-old man."</p>— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/209696066692579330" data-datetime="2012-06-04T17:20:12+00:00">June 4, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
