We’re #1 In Something…

We’re #1 in International Free-Agent spending according to a Baseball America report last week.

This doesn’t seem like much but when people complain about how we don’t spend money to bring in “hitters” take a look at the list and see that we spent more than the big dog Yankees to bring in premium talent into the organization. This also doesn’t take into account how much the Mariners originally signed Esteilon Peguero.

When you consider that into the equation you realize that the Mariners are bringing in high quality, first rate talent and willing to pay to get them.

Click more to see … well more.

PlayerBonuses
1. Mariners$6.47 million
2. Yankees$5.27 million
3. Astros$5.13 million
4. Pirates$5.00 million
5. Athletics$4.73 million
6. Blue Jays$4.18 million
7. Cubs$4.16 million
8. Rangers$3.57 million
9. Braves$3.28 million
10. Padres$2.75 million
11. Royals$2.70 million
12. Twins$2.54 million
13. Tigers$2.53 million
14. Cardinals$2.47 million
15. Indians$2.47 million
16. Rockies$1.96 million
17. Rays$1.73 million
18. Mets$1.69 million
19. Red Sox$1.64 million
20. Reds$1.56 million
21. Phillies$1.49 million
22. Diamondbacks$1.42 million
23. Brewers$1.39 million
24. Marlins$1.19 million
25. Orioles$1.18 million
26. Nationals$853,000.00
27. Giants$849,000.00
28. Angels$617,000.00
29. White Sox$345,000.00
30. Dodgers$314,000.00

Then below you look at who we all brought into the organization in comparison to the rest of the league and it’s a solid mix of talent. A couple of Pitchers, one of the top outfielders and the arguably the best middle infielder available.

One note: Yordyn Calderon (#29th overall), I’ve seen as a third basemen and then is below credited to be outfielder

1. Adonys CardonaRHPBlue Jays16Venezuela$2.8 million
T-2. Luis HerediaRHPPirates16Mexico$2.6 million
T-2. Ariel OvandoOFAstros16Dominican Republic$2.6 million
T-4. Phillips CastilloOFMariners16Dominican Republic$2.2 million
T-4. Renato Nunez3BAthletics16Venezuela$2.2 million
6. Edward SalcedoSSBraves18Dominican Republic$1.6 million
7. Carlos MartinezRHPCardinals18Dominican Republic$1.5 million
8. Jorge AlfaroCRangers16Colombia$1.3 million
9. Danry VasquezOFTigers16Dominican Republic$1.2 million
T-10. Humberto ArteagaSSRoyals16Venezuela$1.1 million
T-10. Esteilon PegueroSSMariners17Dominican Republic$1.1 million
12. Orlando CalixteSSRoyals18Dominican Republic$1 million
13. Duanel Jones3BPadres16Dominican Republic$900,000.00
14. Jose TorresRHPMariners16Colombia$851,000.00
15. Jin-Young KimRHPCubs17South Korea$850,000.00
T-16. Yoel AraujoOFRays16Dominican Republic$800,000.00
T-16. Vicmal de la CruzOFAthletics16Dominican Republic$800,000.00
18. Gabriel Cenas3BBlue Jays16Venezuela$700,000.00
19. Wilmer RomeroOFYankees16Dominican Republic$656,500.00
T-20. Luis PinaLHPMariners16Venezuela$650,000.00
T-20. Christopher TamarezSSYankees16Dominican Republic$650,000.00
22. Argenis RagaCAthletics16Venezuela$580,000.00
23. Javier PimentelSSTwins16Dominican Republic$575,000.00
24. Carlos PenalverSSCubs16Venezuela$550,000.00
25. Wagner MateoOFDiamondbacks17Dominican Republic$512,500.00
T-26. Jeimer Candelario3BCubs16Dominican Republic$500,000.00
T-26. Jose Rafael DePaulaRHPYankees19Dominican Republic$500,000.00
T-26. Edwin MorenoOFPadres17Dominican Republic$500,000.00
29. Yordyn CalderonOFMariners16Dominican Republic$477,500.00
30. Eduardo RiveraRHPYankees17Dominican Republic$475,000.00

This list doesn’t include RHP Rigoberto Garcia and LHP Erick Gomez also signed by the Mariners. Not only did they sign a solid group of guys but 4 of these guys were ranked in the Top-20 of international prospects. Matt Garrioch also put together a ranking of the international signees too.

So when complaining about the fact the Mariners never sign “big bats’ just remind yourself we have… they just haven’t arrived yet.