Marlins ink Mesa Brothers to deals on Monday

After working to secure enough international bonus pool money, the Miami Marlins have announced the signing of the Mesa brothers on Monday.

It took a few weeks and the acquisition of international bonus pool cash, but the Miami Marlins got their men on Monday. The team announced it has signed both Victor Victor Mesa and his brother Victor Mesa, Jr. The moves once again bolster the team’s minor league system.

It also means the organization is committed to bringing in more international talent to bolster the future of this franchise.

According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, “Victor Victor, 22, will receive about $5.25 million, and his 17-year-old brother agreed to $1 million.”

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The Marlins had also been in hot pursuit of Sandy Gaston, but no agreement has been made. The three Cuban prospects were part of a showcase of their talent Oct. 5 at Marlins Park where 75 scouts and MLB personnel were on hand. It was believed the Marlins and Baltimore Orioles were the frontrunners all along to secure their services.

The Orioles had the most international bonus pool money to begin the month, but the Marlins front office went to work, making deals to secure more than $2 million to sign the Mesas to contracts.

“From day one, we stressed as an organization the importance of building this organization with depth throughout our Minor League system and the need to invest in the international market,” team owner and CEO Derek Jeter said. “Today, we have done just that. We have had the opportunity to sign two of the top prospects in the international class.”

Hopefully, it is a sign more players internationally will be signed in the team’s future.

According to Joe Frisaro, “Signing the Mesa brothers is the Marlins’ biggest international free-agent splash since securing the services of Miguel Cabrera as a 16-year-old from Venezuela in 1999. Cabrera came to terms for around $2 million, and he’s gone on to build Hall of Fame-worthy credentials.”

By signing the Mesas, the Marlins added potential every-day players to its minor league system. Last season, the emphasis was to acquire pitching help for every level of the farm system. The additions paid off as the team now has plenty of prospects to develop for the future or to trade for help in the lineup.

This is the kind of move that signals this organization wants to move forward. Last year at this time, there was so much talk about where Giancarlo Stanton stood with the new ownership group. Veterans were uneasy with Jeter’s approach to changing the culture of a losing franchise. The result was deal with the New York Yankees for Stanton, a move to Milwaukee for Christian Yelich and a trade with St. Louis that included Marcell Ozuna.

This time, the Marlins acquired top talent without having to destroy the foundation of their future.