While Inoa is quite possibly an impact talent from the region, it’s not as though the M’s aren’t spenders down there. They’ll probably pick up at least one player in the international period for $1 million+.

Their international scouting succeeds in part because it goes a lot deeper than most others. We all knew about Triunfel and Mario Martinez when they signed, we knew a little about Gabriel Norriega and Jharmidy de Jesus from last year, but there are also guys around like Michael Pineda. He didn’t make waves when he signed, it was hardly a blip on the radar, but he’s been one of the best starters in the Timber Rattlers’ rotation all season as a nineteen year old and now people talk about him as though he’s one of the top pitching prospects in the system.

Everyone knows about Inoa, so whoever is trying to make a statement is going to throw a bunch of money at him to get the job done. Meanwhile, the M’s will spend less than a quarter of that on a couple of different players who will probably turn up in short season next year or the year after and quickly rise through the system’s ranks.

It’s sorta been said already here, but if there’s ANYONE in the M’s system I trust, it’s Engle.

He’s got a fairly large budget, and if he doesn’t sign a guy it’s not because of incompetency w/r/t that part of the organization. It’s also likely not that we weren’t willing to spend lots of money.

Listen to JY, too—the M’s international acquisitions (hit or miss) aren’t something to be concerned about for the reasons he mentions. Lots of guys fly under the radar who the M’s know tons and tons about. The M’s have a great handle on who can make it in the bigs, and what their talent level is.

It still going to be a shame if he signs with Oakland though. Have him kicking our but for years to come.

Just kidding.

but I’ll take International scouting.

Reportedly.