Rangers Lead MLB Clubs In Int'l Signing Bonuses, Including Two Of Three Largest Ever

MLB clubs spent approximately $89M on int’l signing bonuses in ’11, up 12% from ’10, according to figures compiled by BASEBALL AMERICA. Those figures exclude Cuban defectors and Japanese professionals. Estimated spending on Dominican players increased 14% to $50M in '11, with 94 Dominican players signing for $100,000 or more, up from 92 players in ‘10. Venezuelan amateurs received $29M in ‘11, a 45% increase. The Rangers led all clubs with $12.83M in int’l signing bonuses in ’11, up over $9M from their spending in ’10. The Rangers’ figure was also $5M more than what the Blue Jays spent in ’11, who ranked second with $7.57M. The Rangers dished out the highest int’l signing amateur signing bonus ever as well, with $4.95M given to 16-year-old Dominican OF Nomar Mazara. The club also had the third-highest bonus ever with $3.45M given to Dominican OF Ronald Guzman. The Dodgers have ranked last the past two seasons in int’l bonuses. The team spent $177,000 in ’11, which was $601,500 below the next-to-last team in spending (White Sox, $778,500) (BASEBALLAMERICA.com, 3/15).