George King has the story. The Yanks and top IFA catching prospect have agreed to a 2.5 million dollar deal in advance of the July 2 deadline. He writes:
MIAMI — According to several connections in the Dominican Republic, the Yankees and catching prospect Gary Sanchez have agreed to a $2.5 million deal.
Sanchez, 16, isn’t eligible to sign until July 2, but the Yankees’ dogged pursuit of the right-handed hitter has resulted in him wanting to sign with the club.
Nothing can be made official until July 2, but deals are made in advance all the time. Looks like the Yanks are continuing to focus on Jorge Posada’s eventual replacement, although when talking about a 16 year old who is at least 5 years away, Gary Sanchez could very well be Jesus Montero’s replacement if the Yanks decide to move Jesus out from Catcher to 1B or an outfield role.
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Good to hear. The website dominican baseball universe had this a few days ago. I wish he would let me get to his blog now. Jake H(Quote)
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Check out our minor league catcher depth chart for 2010
Montero – AAA
Romine – AA
Weems – A+
Hagashioka – A-
Murphy – Extended + Short A
Sanchez – Extended + GCL
Awesome. Really really awesome. j(Quote)
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Romine appears to be the most likely future Yankee catcher. leftylarry(Quote)
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2.5 million dollars is a ton of money for an IFA. Montero didn’t get that, and he was every bit the hitting prospect that he turned out to be at the time. The Yankees must be very confident. EJ Fagan(Quote)
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j Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
didn’t montero get more than 2 mil before yanks brass found out he was a year older and lowered his bonus? j(Quote)
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Steve S. Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
That’s the first I’ve heard of that one, and I’ve followed Jesus from Day 1. Steve S.(Quote)
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Mike D. Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
First he got 2 million, after they found out he was older (couple of months) his bonus was lowered to 1.6 million. Mike D.(Quote)
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Steve Reply:
June 21st, 2009 at 8:27 am
You’re right. It was originally 2 mil and was lowered to 1.6 mil. The age discrepancy was small, so I didn’t remember that part. But I do remember the bonus being lowered. Steve(Quote)
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j Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
http://www.kffl.com/player/14496/MLB
montero was offered 2 million but the offer was lowered to 1.6 mil.
i remember reading on an old forum that it was due to him lying about his age, but i can’t find any info on that. i think i read a bit of misinformation. j(Quote)
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EJ Fagan Reply:
June 21st, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The bonus was never lowered. The reporting was bad. They initially offered him 2 million but after negotiations it was lowered to 1.6 million. EJ Fagan(Quote)
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Montero – AAA…great bat, weak defence
Romine – AA…good bat, good defence
Weems – A+…haven’t seen him play at all.(?)
Hagashioka – A-,…very good all around, haven’t seen him play as much as I would like.
Murphy – Extended + Short A…????
Sanchez – Extended + GCL…???? Old Ranger(Quote)
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j Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Oppenheimer described Murphy as a very athletic catcher… recent convert from OF that has good all around baseball tools. I’ve heard LoDuca as a comp when he was drafted but I think he’ll have more power if he works out.
pendingpinstripes has a good write up on sanchez if you want his scouting report. j(Quote)
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