The agent for Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada is planning on having the 19-year-old five-tool player signed before spring training. In fact, David Hastings is anticipating a decision from Moncada by the end of next week.
"I'm hoping, certainly, that by the end of next week, we'll have a much clearer picture of where he will sign," Hastings said. It has been an arduous process getting Moncada cleared for free agency with the Office of Foreign Assets, and Hastings is eager to help Moncada get his MLB career started.
"I'm kind of hoping we're at the final end of the process," Hastings said. "I hope I will be able to get Yoan into a team's spring-training practice as soon as possible."
Moncada won't come cheap. He's expected to land a contract worth around $40 million, but that's just a starting point for his price. Teams that exceed their international allotment by 15 percent will have to pay a 100 percent tax on the overage. The Los Angeles Dodgers are considered one of Moncada's most fervent suitors, and per The Los Angeles Times, signing him to a $40 million contract will incur another $40 million in penalties. It also will hinder any team's funds for future signings.
Still, that hasn't stopped some deep-pocketed teams from joining the fray. The New York Yankees have been considered a frontrunner for weeks, and there has been interest from the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres.
The Red Sox are an odd fit, since Dustin Pedroia is entrenched at second base, Xander Bogaerts is one of MLB's top prospects at shortstop, and they've moved an All-Star shortstop in Hanley Ramirez to the outfield. San Diego is a wildcard; they've re-done their whole outfield this season and signed one of the top free agent pitchers on the market (James Shields). Texas has the money, but after a brutal 2014 they might be wary of big expenditures. Then again, their last foray on the international market landed them Yu Darvish.
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