International signings

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Paul Meloche

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Jan 16, 2026, 3:46:14 PMJan 16
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Michael W

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Jan 16, 2026, 5:40:08 PMJan 16
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Maybe 2025's class might break the mold, but the Tigers have been shockingly unsuccessful with their international signings, for decades.

Until I see at least a little success, I'm a doubter.

Michael

Peter Welch

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Jan 16, 2026, 7:53:22 PMJan 16
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Looking at you Cristian Santana, Adinso Reyes, Abel Bastidas and several others.

The Tigers stupidly traded away one of their better recent Latin American signings last year in catcher Enrique Jimenez in the pointless Chris Paddack trade.  Wouldn’t be shocked if Jimenez is catching for the Twins in a few years.

Peter 


On Jan 16, 2026, at 5:40 PM, Michael W <miw...@gmail.com> wrote:

Maybe 2025's class might break the mold, but the Tigers have been shockingly unsuccessful with their international signings, for decades.
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Peter Welch

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Jan 17, 2026, 1:53:52 PMJan 17
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Here are the top Tigers international signings and their signing bonuses each year since 2021.
It's amazing how many shortstops and catchers they keep signing.

2026
C Manuel Bolivar $2.297 million
SS Oscar Tineo $1.45 million
OF Randy Santana $1.295 million
OF Douglas Oliva $900,000

2025 
OF Cris Rodriguez $3.197 million
C Jose Ramirez $897,500
C Carlos Benavides $797,500

2024
3B Nestor Miranda $1.497 million
OF Jesus Pinto $897,500
SS Jose Dickson $397,500

2023
C Enrique Jimenez $1.25 million
OF Cristian Perez $1.1 million
OF Anibal Salas $1.0 million

2022
SS Javier Osorio $2.2 million
SS Samuel Gil $1.2 million
SS Heison Sanchez $800,000
C Josue Briceno $800,000
SS Franyerber Montilla $500,000

2021
SS Cristian Santana $2.975 million
SS Abel Bastidas $1.175 million
SS Rayner Castillo $600,000

 
From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2026 5:40 PM
To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: International signings
 
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Peter Welch

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Jan 17, 2026, 1:59:45 PMJan 17
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Wenceel Perez has been our most "successful" international free agent signing in the past decade.

Peter

From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2026 5:40 PM
To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: International signings
 
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Mark Pattison

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Jan 17, 2026, 3:52:41 PMJan 17
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I've said this before, but I'll say it again. Teams need catchers because they have so many pitchers. Lefty-hitting catchers can last a long time in pro baseball. Just ask Alex Avila.

And teams sign shortstops because they're usually the best athlete on their team. If they can't cut it at shortstop in the pros, they've got the athleticism to make a smoother transition to another position.

Mark Pattison


Paul Meloche

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Jan 17, 2026, 4:52:49 PMJan 17
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I’m not going to pretend to know anything about the guys we signed this week, but the article I posted yesterday seemed to think Santana was the best get of our four signings. 

Bolivar is supposedly good defensively but has a swing that can be exploited by breaking balls.

Keep in mind these kids are 16-17 years old. 

Paul M.

On Jan 17, 2026, at 12:52 PM, 'Mark Pattison' via Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Peter Welch

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Jan 17, 2026, 5:04:58 PMJan 17
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Yeah, that’s what I was thinking about the shortstops.  They are often the best athletes in junior baseball along with the top pitchers.

Several of those shortstops below have moved to other positions in the system.

Peter

On Jan 17, 2026, at 3:52 PM, 'Mark Pattison' via Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Peter Welch

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Jan 17, 2026, 5:20:34 PMJan 17
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Bolivar got a nice chunk of change (nearly $3 million) especially for a guy who isn’t rated that highly.  Reportedly he has a ton of “swing and miss” in his swing but a ton of power potential.

With $3 million I hope he gets some sensible financial advice because he should be able to live comfortably for a long time regardless of whether he ever makes it to the majors.  
Might need to get out of his home country for a while.

Peter

On Jan 17, 2026, at 4:52 PM, Paul Meloche <meloc...@gmail.com> wrote:

 I’m not going to pretend to know anything about the guys we signed this week, but the article I posted yesterday seemed to think Santana was the best get of our four signings. 

Peter Welch

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Jan 17, 2026, 9:33:24 PMJan 17
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The best international Latin American signing by the Tigers this century was probably Willy Adames in 2012, but Adames never played with the Tigers because he was traded to the Rays in the David Price deal in 2014 at age 18.

Pete
From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2026 5:04 PM

Peter Welch

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Jan 18, 2026, 1:08:10 AMJan 18
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Actually, Eugenio Suarez is probably the most successful Tigers' international signing this century (Suarez was signed by the Tigers in 2009).
Suarez has 26.8 career WAR.  Adames has 25.1 career WAR.  Too bad the Tigers traded them 

Peter
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2026 9:33 PM
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