Yesterday, the New York Mets traded infield prospect Milton Ramos to the Baltimore Orioles for international bonus slots. According to Marc Carig of Newsday, the Mets will receive $1 million in international bonus pool space.
The move gives the Mets more money to spend on international free agents market where they’ve already brought in three of the top 50 ranked prospects according to Baseball America.
Ramos, 21, was struggling at the plate (.227/.272/.276) in his second season with the Columbia Fireflies. The defensive-minded shortstop was the Mets third round pick in 2014 and has struggled with maturity issues on top of the lowly offense.
The Mets will now have $5.75 in bonus pool space to finish signing July 2nd international free agents. They have already officially signed No. 3 ranked prospect SS Ronny Mauricio to a new franchise record $2.1 million bonus and No. 16 ranked OF Adrian Hernandez to $1.5 million bonus, a new record for a non-shortstop.
Additional IFA signings this period –
- No. 40 ranked by Baseball America: OF Stanly Consuegra ($500,000)
- SS Federico Polanco ($325,000)
- OF Eduardo Salazar ($125,000)
- OF Patricio Diaz ($100,000)
- RHP Robert Colina ($85,000)
Mets are also expected to sign right-handed pitcher and No. 49 ranked David Marcano once his turns 16 on August 28.
In recent years the Mets have spent a good chunk of money in the international market on shortstop; Gregory Guerrero (2015, $1.5M), Andres Gimenez (2015, $1.2M), Kenny Hernandez (2014, $1M) and Amed Rosario (2012, $1.75M, previous franchise record).
You can read more info about the signees over at MetsMinors.net.
