Yoan Moncada

I guess the point would stand though. If you're Moncada, you're nuts if you're not going to sign with a team because they have Rafael Devers (who's probably moving to first base anyway) in Rookie ball.

Completely agree that our current prospects are irrelevant, from both his and our perspective. But from our perspective, does this at all affect how we approach the 3B market this winter? I'm guessing not since it could be months before he's even unblocked by OFAC, and of course he's still a prospect and could always turn out to a bust, but handing out a six year deal to Hanley or Pablo essentially blocks Moncada at what appear to be his two most valuable positions (not even including CF where he'd also be blocked).

Again, I'm not saying this should prevent us from going all out for Moncada, I'm wondering if it makes us less likely to give out a long-term deal to a FA 3B.

If someone is 19 and would bring the same level of talent as someone who would go 1-1 in a draft.....you make a run at them. I don't care if he's a short stop a catcher or a (insert every other position here) you make a run at it.

After a hole in Portland. (using 2015 projected rosters) there is a nice second wave of talent coming up. It would be very exciting to see a Moncada added to that portfolio of talent and hopefully see him develop with Devers.

.....and, of course, "they" have more money than the Yankees.....NOT. Recently I heard that the Yankees could spend up to $500M in salaries with luxury tax included, and still make a profit. A hard cap is the only fair way to handle these matters.

If I were going to spend all that money on a guy he better not be looking at nobodies and being concerned they might block him. I'd pull the offer and walk away because his mentality is off. Superstars don't worry about that stuff.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I've seen this written elsewhere.

Theoretically, as his OFAC and MLB clearance is still long down the road, he could use the fact that some teams have incurred in penalties for exceeding their allocated allowances to his advantage as leverage for more money, i.e. telling the Yankees, Angels, Red Sox that they have to bid higher or else he'll put off his decision and shutting them out of the race due to MLB's penalties , or the other way around, telling the Cubs and Rangers that if they blow them out of the water, he's willing to wait for the new signing period.

Now my qestion is, if my understanding of the rules is correct, if by any chance he only signs a contract past or on July 2nd, 2015, that contract is not valid for the 2015 season but only for 2016, basically delaying the start of his professional career stateside. Because he's signing a MiLB contract, that can put hum further away from free agency, potentially ending up costing him more money that he can additionally gain right now, by waiting for the next signing period

It would then be in his best interests to sign in this signing period, allowing him to start playing professionally and reach the show quickly, where the real money is.

Well, the Yankees clearly have more financial firepower than the Sox. In terms of financial leverage they and the Dodgers are at the top. If money is the deciding issue and if those teams badly want a player...well, they will get him. Lucchino has acknowledged as much. ...."We are not the Yankees". They had an incredibly long run and ultimately ran out of gas. But even in their worst season over 18 years, they never had a downer like the 2012 or 2014 Sox. We drafted and developed better in the past 15 years or so. They are in the process of retooling that part gobbling up the most international talent this year and restructuring the organization. They have been late to the Cuban party. Let's see where Tomas goes and Moncada after him.

I don't need to wait to see where they sign to know this: The Red Sox can compete with anyone financially in the sport. And I wouldn't say they are late to the party considering El Duque and Contreras played for them.

Also up to this point they have spent 15 million on international talent it just happens they did it when the rules changed so it doubled. The Rangers spent that amount a few years back, didn't read about their financial muscle and how no one can compete with them.

Credible source there.

I'm sure if they didn't care about making a profit they would sign everyone, but like jimed said, there obviously is some limit as to how much they want to spend.

Latest "news" is another win for us (and NYY). Apparently teams already have verbal agreements in place for the top 2015 guys and would have to renege and risk pissing their contacts off in order to sign Moncada (assuming he's unblocked this period).

Of course we have no major agreements in place since we can't sign major guys anyway, so this puts us in a better position than other teams even further .

Ben Badler of Baseball America. It's on his Twitter.