Atlanta Braves News Items

Robert is a Free Agent

According to multiple reports today, Cuban teen/escapee Luis Robert has had his paperwork approved to become a free agent, and can be signed by any major league team beginning May 20th.

That date is critical, for it all but assures Robert a bigger payday than he might otherwise receive should he have been delayed to July.

Robert, a 6′-3″/205 lbs.19-year-old future corner outfielder, is subject to MLB’s rules for signing International free agents, which restrict the monies that can normally be spent by clubs.

However, the rules just changed in the newest MLB/MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement to the degree that the penalties for exceeding signing quotas have actual teeth.

The upshot is this:  teams already in the doghouse for spending too much during this signing season are actually in the catbird’s seat.

None of them will incur any additional penalties other than what they already are subject to (notably, a 100% signing tax for today and restrictions against signing new International players for more than $300K for the next 2 years – starting in July).

These teams include San Diego, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Oakland, and… the Braves.

Any of these clubs can effectively bid whatever their wallets and the market bears – assuming they think Robert is worth it.

If Robert were to stall on signing beyond June 14, then his price would be capped by the new agreement to an absolute maximum (via trades) of something in the $10 million range… $5.75 million without any ‘money trades’, and that only via certain small market clubs.

Is Robert Worth It?

At least one minor league watcher thinks so:

That said, Callis’ evaluation of Robert puts him at least a couple of notches below fellow Cuban Yoan Moncada when comparing both at age 19.

Callis cites Moncada as being the better hitter (also switch-hits), equal power, a faster runner, and with a better arm.  He suggests that these results relegate Robert to a future at a corner outfield spot… though something of a slugger who might project to a .275 hitter with some strikeout tendencies.

Of course Moncada received $30.5 million from the Red Sox, too… before that penalty kicked in.

That said, if Robert is truly a Top 25 talent, that’s nothing to sneeze at.

Local Interest?

So far, the teams cited by BaseballAmerica as being “in” on Robert are the Astros, Padres, A’s, Cardinals, and White Sox (not yet in the penalty for 2016-17, but might be inclined to put themselves there).

The Braves are not mentioned.  At least not yet.

If he’s indeed a talent worth something in the $6-12 million range (that’s a personal guess), then all clubs named above would be subject to the 100% signing tax of the older CBA’s provisions.

Could the Braves have held back $12-24 million for a bid?

We should know between May 20th and June 14.