MLB Free Agency: Top 5 Foreign-Born Player Acquisitions In History

The MLB has benefited greatly off of imported talent.  A recent wave of Japanese and South American players have taken the game by storm.  

Today, about 27 percent of MLB consists of foreign-born players.  Great talents like Hideki Matsui and Ichiro were established already in Japan.  They still were able to make an even bigger name for themselves here in the States.  Many others from South American countries as well have "made it big" in America. Collectively, these foreign-born plays add another dimension to the game.  

Baseball has become the most diverse sport in the world.  It's no longer limited to the 50 states in America but has expanded across the globe.

A lot of scouting goes into finding talent overseas.  Teams with better international scouting tend to land such talent.  We've seen foreign players (who teams sometimes know little about) get some large contracts here.  Whether deservedly or not, many have had success in MLB.  

Here are the top five free-agent signings of foreign-born players.  

The Impact of Foreign Players on The Game Of Baseball

Foreign-born players have had a tremendous impact on how baseball is played in America.  With a constant wave of foreign talent coming into MLB, there's no ignoring their presence.  Nor would it be in the best interest of MLB to ignore them in the first place.  

In many ways, these players add a whole new, unknown dimension to the game.  With about a little more than a quarter of the league consisting of foreign players, the influence has run rampant.  In particular the Japanese have taught a new brand of baseball that they're used to back at home.  

As seen in the above video, Daisuke Matsuzaka's GyroBall has since been introduced to the majors.  This pitch moves in an absurd way and is very difficult to hit.  While this isn't the only thing that the Japanese bring to the game, it's become a rather interesting addition.  

South American players have brought in a new kind of hitter.  Offensive numbers have inflated tremendously over the last 20 years or so.  A lot of this has to do with notable foreign-born pure hitters like Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols.  

Top MLB Player-Producing Foreign Countries

On 2006 Opening Day rosters, 223 of 813 or 27.4 percent of the MLB's players were foreign.   Many of the game's best talent have come from places outside of the United States over the years.  In the future, it appears that these numbers will only increase.    

1. Dominican Republic - 85

2. Venezuela - 43

3. Puerto Rico - 33

Tied (4.) Canada 14

(4.) Mexico 14

Together, the South American countries make up a majority of these foreign-born players.  It can then be said that particular continent has been huge in the way that the game is currently going.  

5. Hideki Matsui

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Hideki Matsui #55 of the New York Yankees rounds firts base on his 2-run double in the bottom of the fifht inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in

Hideki "Godzilla" Matusi's free agency signing was one of the most hyped up in history.  The New York Yankees threw $21 million at him back in 2002.  In celebratory fashion, a parade was held in his native Tokyo due to the signing.  Years later, a ticker-tape parade on The Canyon of Heroes would come.  The Yankees had won their record 27th World Series.

Matsui played a major part in the Yankees' World Series win by dominating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6.  He single-handedly (seemed that way at least) took down Pedro Martinez and the Phillies in that game.  "Godzilla" would earn MVP of that series on his Game 6 performance alone.  

Though no longer a Yankee, it's clear that the signing paid off for both parties.  The sides later came to another agreement after the initial one ended.  This one was a $52 million for four years.  This kept Matsui donning pinstripes for seven seasons.  

4. Vladimir Guerrero

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CHICAGO - JUNE 19: Right fielder Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Montreal Expos swings at the pitch during the MLB game against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois on June 9, 2002. The White Sox defeated the Expos 13-2. (Photo by Jon

Vladimir Guerrero came into MLB as a relative unknown.  His five-tool skills are incredible as his "big arm" from the corner outfield was clear from the beginning.  Guerrero also tends to be a "free swinger" at times which disrupts his hitting for both contact and power.

Guerrero's amateur signing with the then-Montreal Expos was one of the team's best moves.  Though they never won anything with Guerrero there and the team eventually moved to Washington, this move paid off.  With Guerrero at the helm, Montreal remained relevant even though attendance didn't show that.

Guerrero has since moved to Los Angeles and Texas but still hasn't won a World Series.  There's no denying his skills though.  Of all foreign-born players, Vlad might be the best all-around next to Ichiro.  That in itself is some very big recognition.  

3. Miguel Cabrera

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ST. PETERSBURG - JULY 27: First baseman Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers smiles in the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 27, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Miguel Cabrera's contract with the Detroit Tigers is massive.  Though this wasn't a free-agent signing, he did sign with the Florida Marlins as a free-agent in 1999 at age 16.  Cabrera made an immediate impact with the Marlins and helped guide them to their second World Series Title.

Cabrera is probably the best pure hitter in the game today.  He consistently is near the top of most offensive categories.  He's only 27 and still has ample time ahead to possibly become one of the best hitters in quite some time.  

Cabrera seldom ever misses a game and is an annual lock for .320-35-120 (or better) numbers.  Collectively, these numbers are Triple Crown-worthy on a yearly basis.

2. Alex Rodriguez

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NEW YORK - APRIL 02: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees watches his hit against Tampa Bay Devil Rays during their Opening Day game at Yankee Stadium April 2, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Devil Rays, 9-5.

Alex Rodriguez is one of the most recognizable faces in all of professional sports.  As a New York Yankee, his career has reached new heights, including winning his first World Series.  A-Rod made a swift transition from shortstop to third base and remains solid defensively.  

Rodriguez's mega-deal with the Texas Rangers broke all previous baseball banks and set a new beginning in the free agency period.  This deal was for $252 million over 10 years.  That was a deal that the rest of the world had never seen before.  

Since then, we've seen A-Rod's pay increase.  A-Rod's latest contract went for $275 million over 10 years in the Bronx.   

Rodriguez boasts the two biggest sports contracts in history but is he worth the money and commitment? 

1. Ichiro

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TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners runs in from the field after being thrown out at 1st base during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 22, 2010 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Ma

Nobody tops Ichiro though.  Ichiro may be on last place Seattle but is still one of the most exciting players to watch.  He's so solid and can do anything on a baseball diamond.  Better yet, he makes everything that he does look easy.  The Mariners didn't go wrong when they locked up this Japanese import. 

In just his first season he won both MVP and Rookie of the Year Honors.  What people tend to forget is that he was every bit as good while playing professionally in Japan for about a decade.

Ichiro averages around 225 hits per season.  Anything less than this is seen as a "down" year for him.  He's had ten straight 200+ hit seasons.  

Not to mention that he's a terrific fielder too and has won 10 Gold Gloves.  Ichiro's his own highlight reel.  

Honorable Mention: Hideo Nomo

G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 10: Hideo Nomo #91 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the New York Yankees on April 10, 2008 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

This isn't so much based on numbers but effect.  Hideo Nomo's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 was quite ground-breaking.  Nomo found a loophole in the agreement between Japan and the Major Leagues and used it to successfully come to America.

At first, Nomo was very difficult for hitters to figure out.  His uncanny delivery was what he was most remembered for.  Ironically, it's also what hitters hated about facing him.  

Questions, Comments, Thoughts?

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - JUNE 5: Hideo Nomo #11 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitches during the game with the Seattle Mariners on June 5 2005 at Safeco Field in Seattle Washington. The Mariners won 6-5. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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