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08:19 AM ET 12.30 | One gift of the New Year may be the return of headline-worthy offseason signings. If all goes according to plan, the bidding for two of the most mysterious free agents this offseason is going to perk up right around the middle of January. No, we're not talking about Prince Fielder and Ryan Madson, the best free-agent slugger and closer still in search of a new team. We're talking about Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler, the latest Cubans to capture the imagination of Major League Baseball executives from coast to coast. ... [At 19], Soler fits better for the Phillies because their minor-league system needs replenishing, thanks to the many deals that have sent prospects to other places.

Charlie Manuel, Icon Sports

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December 30, 2011 08:30 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 12.30 by Why So Serious?

Who?

and Who Cares?

BGDave

Bowling Green , KY

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December 30, 2011 08:42 AM ET

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[At 19], Soler fits better for the Phillies because their minor-league system needs replenishing,

Of course, the Soler system.

THE BISHOP!

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December 30, 2011 09:54 AM ET

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Soler could take the spot on the Farm that Domonic Brown vacated when he was called up...

But Rumor has it - Domonic might need that spot back...

TheBone

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December 30, 2011 11:39 AM ET

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Most of MLB would agree that the Royals have the best farm system, but the people in charge of the Royals don't know how to put it all together for wins. It is important to have a good farm system. However it is pretty obvious that Rule 5 draft players are shifting the dynamic of baseball. Drafts will be drafts, loaded with potential that hardly ever pans out.

For the Phillies, I have to say that they do the most with the systems that are in place. One of the reasons they are the best team in baseball over the last 7 years.

Home Theater Guy

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December 30, 2011 11:56 AM ET

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What 'bid'??? i thought these guys were going to declare from the Dominican Republic, and since they're from Cuba, there aren't any teams involved to solicit a 'bid' ...???

Telsonx

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December 30, 2011 12:16 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:39 AM ET 12.30 by Home Theater Guy

For the Phillies, I have to say that they do the most with the systems that are in place. One of the reasons they are the best team in baseball over the last 7 years.

the NL evil empire has yet to learn the full power of the darkside.

AllStarz Ruinating…

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December 30, 2011 12:27 PM ET

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OK, checked out the full article and here is how this 'bid' goes down:

"The bidding process works like this: Teams make an offer to the players' agents, and after the initial highest bid is revealed, those teams have a chance to sweeten their offers."

sneaky and lame ... why don't they show the 'bidding' on live TV, do what that Lebron kid did ;)