The Phillies made a shrewd trade today with the Arizona Diamondbacks that will go pretty far towards the future. The Phillies have long-been rumored ready to sign Dominican outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz, but he has not been signed since the international signing period began. It's for a really good reason: the Phillies made a deal that will help them sign Ortiz and others.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports:
They acquired the No. 1 overall signing slot ($3,590,400) for the 2015-16 international signing period from Arizona for Class A Lakewood right-hander Chris Oliver, Class A Lakewood left-hander Josh Taylor and the team’s No. 9 overall signing slot ($1,352,100). The trade allows the Phillies to sign 16-year-old outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz and avoid penalties that would prohibit them from signing international players for more than $300,000 until the 2018-19 signing period.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said to reporters (including Meghan Montemurro of the Delaware News Journal) that Ortiz could be signed in the next couple of weeks.
This is a good sign because it shows that the Phillies are willing to spend on international free agents after this year. That means that the Phillies seem to expect to spend some money. Chris Oliver and Josh Taylor were not projected particularly high in terms of prospects. Besides, if all goes according to plan the Phillies will be adding pieces perhaps at the Lakewood/Clearwater levels and need roster spots.
Why would the Diamondbacks do this? For some reason the Diamondbacks are cutting money. Former Phillie Dave Stewart is the Diamondbacks general manager making the deals, and this deal saves the team roughly $3 million compared to what they would have spent using their full slot. The trade of last year's first round pick and the $10 million contract of Bronson Arroyo to the Braves for a utility infielder raised some eyebrows. This deal should raise some too. But a team with money like the Phillies can take advantage.
