The Phillies have a good amount of internatioanl signing money, but it may not be enough to sign Shohei Otani or Kevin Maitan.
The international signing market has become a hot topic in recent weeks with Shohei Otani set to come to the majors. In addition, a bevy of Braves prospects are now free agents after the league concluded that the team worked around the signing rules. The Phillies will likely try to pursue those prospects.
One of those prospects is shortstop Kevin Maitan, the No. 38 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. He was the best prospect in the 2016 signing period. Maitain has a plus hit tool with the ability to hit for some real power in the future. Not to mention, he is sturdy on defense with a rocket of an arm.
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Meanwhile, Otani is a two-way player who some call the next Babe Ruth because of his power and ability to pitch. He is coming over to America from Japan through the posting system. However, he still falls under the international signing rules, limiting the amount of money any team can sign him for.
The Phillies added nearly $1 million in slot money this summer at the trade deadline, but it still doesn’t compare to other teams.
The Rangers, Yankees, and Twins all have more than $3 million in bonus money, while Philadelphia only has about $900,000 left for this period. Granted, they could use some money from the 2018-19 signing period as well.
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Unfortunately, this means, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, that Philadelphia likely won’t sign either Maitan or Otani. Otani is expected to sign with the Yankees as he can make the most endorsement money there, while other teams can outspend the Phils for both.
While Philadelphia is likely out of the running for Maitan and Otani, they could still go after the other prospects the Braves were forced to release. Catcher Abrahan Gutierrez, shortstops Yunior Severino and Yenci Pena, and infielder Livian Soto all ranked in the top 30 of this summer’s signing class.
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The Phils have signed prospects under similar circumstances in the past. Last year, they signed Simon Muzzioti from the Red Sox after they also broke the signing rules.