Article: MLB Announced 2025 Draft, 2026 International Signing Period Bonus Pools

[Jamie Cameron]

This week, MLB released bonus pool allocations and pick values for the 2025 MLB Draft. Additionally, MLB released international signing bonus pools for the 2026 signing period.

This week, MLB released bonus pool allocations and pick values for the 2025 MLB Draft. Additionally, MLB released international signing bonus pools for the 2026 signing period.

The Red Sox finished the 2024 season with the 13th worst record in MLB. Normally, their draft bonus pool would be lower than other teams who receive compensation picks for being revenue receiving teams. The Red Sox will have the 13th largest bonus pool overall, at $12,409,300. This is a function of receiving an additional pick (33rd overall) from the Brewers as part of the Quinn Priester trade.

The Red Sox top 100 picks and slot values are as follows:
Slot value for pick 15: $5,114,200
Slot value for pick 33: $2,898,300
Slot value for pick 75: $1,093,800 (compensation for Nick Pivetta)
Slot value for pick 87: $907,200

The Red Sox forfeited their second round pick for signing a player who received the qualifying offer.

Their financial flexibility puts the Red Sox in a decent position ahead of a draft class shaping up to be uncertain in terms of top tier talent, but with plenty of depth through around 75 picks, with prep bats a demographic of strength.

Reminders on Draft Financials
Organizations are allowed to spend up to 5% more than their total pool without incurring a penalty, a choice many teams take advantage of. The Twins and the Rockies are the only MLB teams who have never spent any overage on their bonus pool. Any amount up to 5% over the pool is met with a 75% tax on the overage. If a team spends between 5-10% more than their pool, the penalty is 75% tax on the overage and loss of a future first rounder. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 10% up to 15% pays 100% tax on the overage and will lose a first and second round future pick. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 15% loses two future first round picks in addition to paying 100% tax on the overage.

Rounds 11-20 work differently to the first half of the draft. These picks do not come with an assigned slot value. Teams can spend up to $150,000 per pick without that spending coming out of their bonus pool. If they spend over that amount, any overage will be deducted from their bonus pool. For example, an 11th round pick signing for $250,000 will result in $100,000 being subtracted from that teams’ bonus pool. 

MLB Announces 2026 International Bonus Pools
MLB announced bonus pools for the 2026 international signing period today. The 2026 signing window opens on January 15th, 2026 and runs through December 15th, 2026. The Red Sox are in a group of three teams (which also includes the Blue Jays) who have the joint second smallest bonus pools. The Red Sox can spend $5,940,000 in the 2026 international signing window.

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