Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Top international prospect SS Wander Franco to sign with Rays for $3.9 million

The Rays have been linked to the top international prospect in baseball, SS Wander Franco, over the last couple months, and the details are starting to come together:

Franco, the nephew of major league SS Erick Aybar, is a huge signing for the small market Rays, something about which Baseball America marvelled:

Between Brendan McKay and Wander Franco, the Rays could add the top college prospect and the top international prospect to their farm system in less than a month.

International pools are larger than they used to be, so the Rays will not same the same 2-year ban they received for signing top international prospect Adrian Rondon a few years back. Players can begin signing on July 2.

You can read all about Franco and the signing bonus process here.

Links:

• The Rays looked very 2016 in Pittsburgh:

• Marc Topkin has more on the Rays employee who helped umpire John Tumpane save a woman’s life before Wednesday’s game.
• Also per Topkin: Durham C Mike Marjama, RHP Andrew Kittredge and INFs Willy Adames and Patrick Leonard were named to the International League for the July 12 Triple-A All-Star Game.
• Drew Smyly, who the Rays dealt for Mallex Smith (among others). He will require Tommy John surgery, an injury unique from his shoulder ailments with the Rays. A year ago, Bradley Woodrum ranked Smyly among the top pitchers at risk for needing to undergo the knife this year. Read more here.
• Mercy, this is terribly unfortunate for Yankees prospect Dustin Fowler:

Deadspin has more on the knee injury.

• And the same goes for SS Trea Turner, who was acquired and the dealt by the Rays in the Souza deal:

• An interesting interview with old friend Chris Gimenez
• The Hardball Times on baseball demographics
• And finally, Brendan McKay won the freaking Golden Spikes award!!! More on that on the site shortly.