Ok this is all well and good, but didn’t they trade away intl pool money in one of these last couple of trades (Seattle I think)? Are they idiots, or are they just making up their plans as they go and just recently decided on Martinez? I mean if I know I’m buying a house in March and my funds are low, I’m not spending money taking a trip to Europe. Kind of cuts into the plans. 

 

It helped them get better prospects in the Dee Gordon deal (Niedert is a really nice prospect and Torres has good potential as well) and sending some of it to the Yankees also could pay significant dividends if Smith is a rotation piece and Cooper is a starting player on the team next year.  I see what you're saying and see where you're coming from, but they werent just giving it away.

 

 

Ok this is all well and good, but didn’t they trade away intl pool money in one of these last couple of trades (Seattle I think)? Are they idiots, or are they just making up their plans as they go and just recently decided on Martinez? I mean if I know I’m buying a house in March and my funds are low, I’m not spending money taking a trip to Europe. Kind of cuts into the plans. 

 

They can trade for pool money elsewhere if needed, or just sign him when the new international season starts this summer. We can criticize them for a lot of things, but I don't think it is this one.

 

Hopefully they land this guy. He's exactly what the system needs.

 

 

They can trade for pool money elsewhere if needed, or just sign him when the new international season starts this summer. We can criticize them for a lot of things, but I don't think it is this one.

 

Hopefully they land this guy. He's exactly what the system needs.

 

Well I agree we need him, I just don’t get the reasoning behind trading away intl money if you know you’re going after an intl guy. I get what you’re saying, but trading for it again would more than likely lessen our return on a deal if it’s included in a trade of prado or Ziegler for example. And being forced to delay the signing could be something the prospective signee chooses against. So yeah it didn’t completely handcuff us, but idk, it just seems a bit counter intuitive. 

 

 

You're making it sound like international money is one lump sum that if it's traded away there's none left. Yes we traded away some international pool money but there's still money left so it's still possible to get international players. 

 

 

You're making it sound like international money is one lump sum that if it's traded away there's none left. Yes we traded away some international pool money but there's still money left so it's still possible to get international players. 

 

No I understand how it works. And having more of it at any given moment increases your chances of signing whatever player it is you're after-hence, why other teams trade to ACQUIRE it. They would more than likely have to wait till the next signing period opens to sign him which could affect Martinez's decision. So my question is why would they trade away money to the point where it's handcuffing them, if they're going to be going after someone that might require a larger signing bonus. Clearly none of you are seeing it my way, but this is a forum so that's cool lol.

 

 

No I understand how it works. And having more of it at any given moment increases your chances of signing whatever player it is you're after-hence, why other teams trade to ACQUIRE it. They would more than likely have to wait till the next signing period opens to sign him which could affect Martinez's decision. So my question is why would they trade away money to the point where it's handcuffing them, if they're going to be going after someone that might require a larger signing bonus. Clearly none of you are seeing it my way, but this is a forum so that's cool lol.

 

I know what you meant, I'm just saying the way your wording made it sound. I wouldn't say they're handcuffed either. 

 

 

Mariners asked for the money cause they were chasing Ohtani at the time. Marlins couldn't just say nah, we may need that in the future so we won't do this deal either. Had to make the deal sitting in front of them and worry about future possible signings later. If he chooses the fish and they need more money, they can find it.