The international signing period begins July 2, and now teams know exactly how much they will have to spend.
The bonus pool amounts for the 2018-19 international signing period were given to teams this week, marking the second year clubs cannot exceed their the bonus pool per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In terms of spending, the Blue Jays, Brewers, D-backs, Mariners, Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Rockies, Tigers, Twins and Yankees are expected to be aggressive in the upcoming signing period. The Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Royals -- teams that will no longer be in the penalty for exceeding their past international bonus pool spending -- are also expected to be very active.
• International amateur free agency & bonus pool money explained
The A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres, Reds and White Sox are in the maximum penalty and cannot sign players for more than $300,000 during the upcoming period.
Clubs that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round B of the Rule 4 Draft receive a pool of $6,025,400, while clubs that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A of the Rule 4 Draft receive $5,504,500. All other clubs receive $4,983,500.
Teams are allowed to trade as much of their international pool money as they would like, but can only acquire 75 percent of a team's initial pool amount. Additionally, signing bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count toward a club's bonus pool, and foreign professional players who are at least 25 and have played as in a foreign league for at least six season are also exempt.
The Phillies lost a total of $1 million in pool money for signing Jacob Arrieta and Carlos Santana, who were both qualifying free agents, and have the lowest pool money available at $3,949,000. The Cardinals received a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A, but they lost $500,000 for their signing of Greg Holland.
The bonus pools are as follows:
Signing Bonus Pool B ($6,025,400): Reds, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Athletics, Rays
Signing Bonus Pool A ($5,504,500): D-backs, Orioles, Indians, Rockies, Royals, Pirates, Padres
Signing Bonus Pool ($5,004,500): Cardinals
Signing Bonus Pool ($4,983,500): Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Tigers, Astros, Angels, Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Giants, Rangers, Blue Jays, Nationals
Signing Bonus Pool ($3,949,000): Phillies