Mets Sign 3 IFA’s, Germen Up, Vote Wright

Here’s today’s pertinent Mets news and notes…

Mets sign three International free agents:

The Mets signed three IFA’s today, one of which is high profile.

Mar 15, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; United States right fielder

(right) center fielder

(center) and left fielder

(left) during the World Baseball Classic Puerto Rico at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The high profile signing is 16 year old catcher Ali Sanchez from Venezuela, who Baseball America ranked as the 25th best International prospect.  The Mets signed him for $690,000.  Here’s a blurb on Sanchez from BA:

"Sanchez, 16, is 6 feet, 180 pounds with good catch-and-throw skills, quick feet and good hands. Scouts highest on him have been impressed with his ability to hit in games by staying inside the ball with a contact-oriented swing from the right side of the plate. Sanchez has traveled to the Dominican Republic to play in the International Prospect League and trains with Yhonson Lopez."

The second IFA the Mets signed was 16 year old right handed pitcher Luis Silva, also from Venezuela.  Silva signed for $275,000.  Here’s a blurb on Silva:

"Silva, 16, is 6 feet, 170 pounds with long arms, a high-waisted frame and a loose delivery. He throws strikes and generates sink on his fastball, which he can run up to the low-90s at times. He also throws a mid-70s breaking ball and a solid changeup for his age. Silva trained with Julio Bolivar."

The third IFA the Mets signed was 16 year old shortstop Yeffry de Aza from the Dominican Republic.  de Aza signed for $475,000.  Here’s a blurb from Baseball America on de Aza:

"Scouts highest on de Aza, 16, think he can become an offensive second baseman with some power to his pull side, although scouts were mixed on his game hitting. He’s 6 feet, 170 pounds with average speed, solid hands and an average to above-average arm. He’s earned praise from scouts for being a hard-nosed, high-energy player. De Aza plays in the Dominican Prospect League and trains with Pedro Nivar, who is known as “Nube.”"

Reliever Gonzalez Germen recalled from AAA Las Vegas:

Per the Mets, the team has recalled right handed reliever Gonzalez Germen from AAA Las Vegas.  He’s en route to New York.  The Mets haven’t yet announced what the corresponding roster move will be.

Germen, 25, had a 5.70 ERA for Las Vegas.  In 42.2 innings, he allowed 47 hits, walked 10, and struck out 48.  Aside from the PCL being a living hell for pitchers in general, Germen’s ERA was skewed by a horrific outing he had on June 13th.  That night, he gave up 7 earned runs (including 4 home runs) in an inning and a third.

Vote Wright Now:

This afternoon, the latest All-Star Game voting update was released.  David Wright has expanded his lead over Pablo Sandoval to roughly 850,000 votes (he held a 129,000 vote lead last week).  Wright has 4,452,282 votes to Sandoval’s 3,610,096.  Voting ends at 11:59 PM on July 4th (Thursday), and the rosters will be unveiled on Saturday.

Last year, Wright also had a huge lead over Sandoval heading into the final days of voting, but the Giants fans stuffed the ballot box for the undeserving Sandoval, and Wright was screwed out of the starting spot.  Don’t let that happen again.  Wright is the better offensive player, blows Sandoval away on the defensive side of things, is having the better season, and deserves to start.  Head here to vote and ensure that Wright gets the start he deserves in his home ballpark.

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