WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017 SPORTS MLB international spending soars above $200 million

NEW YORK: A record $203 million was professional experience, up from 23 White Sox ($29 million in bonuses, $25.2 Each team receives a $4.75 million Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco are spent on international amateur free years old and less than five years of million in tax), Cincinnati ($17.7 mil- spending pool in the 2017-18 interna- not allowed to in 2017-18. agents in the just-ended signing period, experience. That means less money will lion/$12.4 million), Atlanta ($17.3 mil- tional signing period that starts July 2, Boras maintains young athletes will nearly $50 million more than the previ- be chasing more players. lion/$12.8 million), Houston ($10.8 mil- and the 14 teams with competitive-bal- reject because of a lower eco- ous high and a figure that will plummet “That’s going to really drive a lot of lion/$8.6 million), St. Louis ($11 mil- ance round draft picks also get extra nomic potential. when a hard cap on spending starts July these players to Japanese and Korean lion/$9 million), Oakland ($10 mil- international cap room. “The problem with all of this is other 2. Four Cubans were given contracts that baseball,” agent Scott Boras predicted. lion/$6.2 million), and Washington ($8.3 For 2017-18, Cincinnati, Miami, sports are benefiting dramatically,” he included signing bonuses above $5 mil- Restraints were introduced in the 2012- million/$6 million). Milwaukee, Minnesota, Oakland and said. “Soccer in particular is clapping its lion. outfielder Luis 16 labor contract on spending on draft Robert agreed to the second-highest Tampa Bay get an additional $500,000 hands.” Mota, who consulted on the Robert led the way at $26 million, fol- picks, players who reside in the US, bonus for an international amateur, each, and Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland, negotiations that led to Dominican lowed by San Diego Adrian Canada and Puerto Rico. Bonuses for behind only the $31.5 million deal in Colorado, Houston, Kansas City, shortstop Luis Almanzar’s $4.05 million Morejon at $11 million, and Cincinnati those players totaled $234 million in 2015 between Cuban infielder Yoan Pittsburgh and San Diego $1 million deal with San Diego last summer, said shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez and Padres 2011, dropped to $223 million in the first Moncada and Boston, which sent him to apiece. Clubs also can trade their cap some teams that had not pursued inter- outfielder Jorge Ona at $7 million each. year of the new rules and didn’t reach the White Sox in December as part of allocation in increments of $250,000 national players until now may enter the Baseball’s new labor contract impos- their prior level until 2015’s $249 million, the trade that brought pitcher Chris Sale (and whatever portion of $250,000 is left market because the prices will be lower. es a cap on bonuses for international according to . to the Red Sox. at the end) starting July 2, with the Mota said handlers of Latin American amateurs, with 16 teams limited in 2017- Draft spending rose to $269 million for Some American players were angry restriction a team can acquire only 75 players, who often sign them young in 18 to $4.75 million, six to $5.25 million 2016 selections. that international bonuses soared as percent more than it was originally exchange for a percentage of the bonus- and eight to $5.75 million - all not count- At the same time, spending on inter- their own were limited. Many assigned. es, are not prepared for the new system. ing bonuses of up to $10,000. national amateurs increased from $74 Venezuelan and Cuban prospects sign Some teams have incentive to trade Like Boras, Mota says Japan could “The party’s over for all big signing million in 2012-13 to $156 million in around the time they turn 16. Cubans their cap space because of penalties lin- become an alternative for Cubans until bonuses for international amateurs. It’s 2015-16 before the latest hike. And that generally sign at an older age. gering from the old rules. Atlanta, they turn 25. no doubt,” agent Andy Mota said was despite a tax on teams who exceed- “I think the goal was to treat interna- Cincinnati, Houston, Oakland, St. Louis, “I talk to people who own players, Monday. “It’s a reality that’s setting in, ed their assigned bonus pools. tional players more comparable to San Diego and Washington are prohibit- people who manage players, they’ve especially with Cuban players.” San Diego spent $40.8 million on domestic players with respect to the ed from signing international amateurs been used to asking for whatever they And under the new rules, internation- international amateurs in the period that signing bonuses they receive upon sign- for bonuses of more than $300,000 in want or playing hardball with teams,” al amateurs were redefined as under 25 ended June 15, incurring a $37.4 million ing their first contract,” said Dan Halem, the next two signing periods, while the Mota said, “and that’s no longer going to years old and with less than six years of tax. Other high rollers included the MLB’s chief legal officer. , Kansas City, the Los be the case,” Mota said.—AP

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley, right, slides into home plate to score on a single by Justin Turner as New York Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud fields the throw during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, in Los Angeles. —AP

BASEBALL Kluber has 5th career shutout as Cleveland wins

BALTIMORE: Corey Kluber pitched a three- beat Washington. Marlins slugger Justin Bour Blaine Boyer (0-1) gave up Merrifield’s bounc- run to score in the seventh. Hector Rondon retired 16 of the last 17 hitters he faced. The hitter for his fifth career shutout and Jason tied the game at 6 in the third with a grand ing RBI single in the seventh. Boyer was lifted (2-1) pitched a scoreless inning for the win, Giants’ skid is the longest of a hugely disap- Kipnis and Carlos Santana homered as slam, his 18th homer. Giancarlo Stanton also after added an insurance run and Davis struck out and got pointing season as they dropped to 26-46 Cleveland overpowered the Baltimore hit his 18th of the season to make it 7-all in with a single, the second straight night Hunter Renfroe to ground out with runners and fell 20 games behind first-place Orioles 12-0 Monday night for its season- the seventh. Bryce Harper hit his 18th homer Boston’s stingy bullpen has allowed a pair of on second and third for his 14th in 14 Colorado in the NL West. Adams homered in high sixth straight victory. Santana and for the Nationals. Anthony Rendon also went runs. Red Sox relievers had thrown 26 chances. Kirby Yates (1-1) allowed an the fourth off (5-7) and added Austin Jackson had three RBIs apiece for the deep before leaving in the fifth inning with a straight scoreless innings before the slump. unearned run but took the loss. an RBI single in the eighth to key a seven-run AL Central leaders, whose recent surge has neck stinger he sustained diving for a Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two-run homer for outburst that made it a rout. He has 10 lifted them to a season-best six games over grounder. He is day to day Washington Boston. PIRATES 8, BREWERS 1 homers and 27 RBIs since being acquired .500 (37-31). Cleveland batted around in the starter Tanner Roark squandered a 6-0 lead Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer, from St. Louis on May 20. fourth and fifth innings and sent eight men by giving up six runs in the third. Enny BLUE JAYS 7, RANGERS 6 Gerrit Cole pitched seven strong innings and to the plate in a three-run sixth that made it Romero (2-3) took the loss. A.J. Ramos (2-3) hit a go-ahead single Pittsburgh beat Milwaukee. Travis Shaw’s REDS 7, RAYS 3 11-0. Cleveland banged out a season-high worked a scoreless ninth and the Marlins after a tying single by Josh Donaldson in the leadoff homer in the second put the Brewers Scott Schebler and Scooter Gennett 10 extra-base hits, including seven doubles. won for the 11th time in their past 13 home ninth inning, and Toronto edged Texas in a ahead 1-0 and set a franchise mark, with the homered and Joey Votto snapped an eighth- Kluber (6-2) struck out 11 and walked none games. Miami lost to Atlanta on walk-off hits matchup of AL Division Series opponents the Brewers scoring their 16th consecutive run inning tie with an RBI single, helping in his 12th career complete game and sec- by Brandon Phillips on Saturday and Sunday. past two seasons. The Blue Jays won despite via the long ball. The Pirates took the lead in Cincinnati end a season-high nine-game los- ond shutout this season. The right-hander blowing a 5-1 lead in their first visit to Texas the third on Adam Frazier’s two-run single off ing streak with a victory over Tampa Bay. scattered three singles and struck out the ROYALS 4, RED SOX 2 since last postseason, when they won the starter Matt Garza (3-3). Cole (5-6) held the Schebler led off the fifth with his 19th homer, side in the ninth. Baltimore starter Dylan Whit Merrifield drove in the go-ahead run first two games in a best-of-five sweep that Brewers to one run and three hits. tying Votto for the team lead. Gennett went Bundy (7-6) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 in the seventh inning, hit a two- was their second straight ALDS victory over deep for the second consecutive day, his first innings. The Orioles have dropped nine of run homer and Kansas City topped Boston the two-time defending AL West champs. BRAVES 9, GIANTS 0 homers since hitting four in a game against 12 and yielded at least five runs in 16 for its eighth win in nine games. Jason Donaldson’s single off closer Matt Bush R.A. Dickey threw seven scoreless innings, St. Louis on June 6. Votto’s RBI single off Jose straight games. Hammel (4-6) pitched seven sharp innings scored Ryan Goins, who just beat the throw Matt Adams hit another homer and Atlanta Alvarado (0-2) put the Reds in front for good before turning it over to Mike Minor, who to second for a leadoff double. Morales’ hit to sent San Francisco to its seventh straight after the Rays rallied to tie it on Steven Souza MARLINS 8, NATIONALS 7 loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth. the gap in left-center scored Donaldson from loss. The 42-year-old Dickey (5-5) escaped a Jr.’s solo homer off Scott Feldman and Daniel Marcell Ozuna singled home the winning No. 9 hitter Christian Vazquez grounded out second after a stolen base and a walk. It was jam in the first to turn in his strongest outing Robertson’s two-run shot off reliever Michael run with two outs in the ninth inning as to end the threat. Kelvin Herrera worked the the third blown save in 11 chances for Bush of the season. He gave up just three hits and Lorenzen (4-2). — AP Miami overcame an early six-run deficit to ninth for his 16th save. Red Sox reliever (2-2). Jeff Beliveau (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth, and Roberto Osuna worked a 1-2-3 MLB results/standings ninth for his 18th save in 22 chances. Toronto’s Steve Pearce and Adrian Beltre of Seattle 6, Detroit 2; LA Dodgers 10, NY Mets 6; Houston 4, Oakland 1; Kansas City 4, Boston 2; Chicago Cubs 3, the Rangers traded three-run doubles in the San Diego 2; Toronto 7, Texas 6; Pittsburgh 8, Milwaukee 1; Atlanta 9, San Francisco 0; Cincinnati 7, Tampa Bay 3; fourth, with Beltre’s liner to right-center cap- Miami 8, Washington 7; Cleveland 12, Baltimore 0. ping a five-run inning for a 6-5 lead that held American League National League up until the ninth. Jose Bautista homered for Eastern Division Eastern Division the Blue Jays and Justin Smoak had three W L PCT GB Washington 42 28 .600 - hits, including a career high-tying 20th NY Yankees 38 29 .567 - Atlanta 32 37 .464 9.5 homer. Boston 39 31 .557 0.5 Miami 31 37 .456 10 NY Mets 31 38 .449 10.5 Tampa Bay 37 36 .507 4 Philadelphia 22 46 .324 19 CUBS 3, PADRES 2 Toronto 34 35 .493 5 Central Division Willson Contreras hit a tying homer, Javier Baltimore 34 35 .493 5 Milwaukee 38 34 .528 - Baez scored the go-ahead run on an error Central Division Chicago Cubs 35 34 .507 1.5 and worked out of a ninth-inning Cleveland 37 31 .544 - Pittsburgh 32 38 .457 5 jam for Chicago against San Diego. Anthony Chicago White Sox 31 37 .456 6 St. Louis 31 37 .456 5 Rizzo thrived in the leadoff spot again, Western Division Cincinnati 30 39 .435 6.5 Western Division extending his career-high hitting streak to 13 Houston 47 24 .662 - games by going 2 for 3 with an RBI as the LA Angels 36 37 .493 12 Colorado 46 26 .639 - LA Dodgers 45 26 .634 0.5 Cubs won their second straight to improve to Texas 34 35 .493 12 Arizona 44 26 .62 1 35-34. Jose Pirela and Yangervis Solarte each Seattle 35 37 .486 12.5 BALTIMORE: Cleveland Indians’ Carlos Santana hits a sacrifice fly ball in the sixth inning of San Diego 28 43 .394 17.5 had a solo homer for the Padres, although Oakland 31 39 .443 15.5 San Francisco 26 46 .361 20 a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, Monday. Jose Ramirez scored Pirela’s error in left field allowed the decisive on the play. Cleveland won 12-0.—AP