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).
| ESTIMATED '11 MLB INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR SIGNING BUDGETS |
| RK | TEAM | '11 BONUSES | '10 BONUSES |
| 1 | Rangers | $12.83M | $3.57M |
| 2 | Blue Jays | $7.57M | $4.18M |
| 3 | Royals | $6.80M | $2.70M |
| 4 | Mariners | $6.67M | $6.47M |
| 5 | Cubs | $4.54M | $4.16M |
| 6 | Pirates | $4.09M | $5.00M |
| 7 | Indians | $3.58M | $2.47M |
| 8 | Padres | $3.48M | $2.75M |
| 9 | Red Sox | $3.25M | $1.64M |
| 10 | Tigers | $3.03M | $2.53M |
| 11 | Yankees | $2.93M | $5.27M |
| 12 | Mets | $2.86M | $1.69M |
| 13 | Cardinals | $2.63M | $2.47M |
| 14 | Braves | $2.49M | $3.28M |
| 15 | Twins | $2.31M | $2.54M |
| 16 | Astros | $2.12M | $5.13M |
| 17 | Phillies | $2.05M | $1.46M |
| 18 | Reds | $1.98M | $1.56M |
| 19 | Giants | $1.81M | $849,000 |
| 20 | Rays | $1.79M | $1.73M |
| 21 | Brewers | $1.63M | $1.39M |
| 22 | Rockies | $1.45M | $1.96M |
| 23 | Marlins | $1.38M | $1.19M |
| 24 | Angels | $1.35M | $617,000 |
| 25 | A's | $1.22M | $4.73M |
| 26 | Nationals | $1.12M | $853,000 |
| 27 | Orioles | $1.02M | $1.18M |
| 28 | D'Backs | $876,000 | $1.42M |
| 29 | White Sox | $778,500 | $345,000 |
| 30 | Dodgers | $177,000 | $314,000 |
| | | | |
| TOP 10 ALL-TIME MLB INTERNATIONAL SIGNING BONUSES |
| RK | PLAYER | YEAR | TEAM | AGE | COUNTRY | BONUS |
| 1 | OF Nomar Mazara | '11 | Rangers | 16 | Dominican Republic | $4.95M |
| 2 | P Michael Ynoa | '08 | Athletics | 16 | Dominican Republic | $4.25M |
| 3 | OF Ronald Guzman | '11 | Rangers | 16 | Dominican Republic | $3.45M |
| 4 | SS Miguel Sano | '09 | Twins | 16 | Dominican Republic | $3.15M |
| 5 | OF Elier Hernandez | '11 | Royals | 16 | Dominican Republic | $3.00M |
| 6 | C Gary Sanchez | '09 | Yankees | 16 | Dominican Republic | $3.00M |
| 7 | P Adonys Cardona | '10 | Blue Jays | 16 | Venezuela | $2.80M |
| 8 | P Luis Heredia | '10 | Pirates | 16 | Mexico | $2.60M |
| 9 | OF Ariel Ovando | '10 | Astros | 16 | Dominican Republic | $2.60M |
| 10 | OF Rafael Rodriguez | '08 | Giants | 16 | Dominican Republic | $2.55M |
