The Red Sox have reportedly agreed to a record amateur deal with Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada. While the deal is said to be worth $31.5 million dollars, the Red Sox will have to pay north of $60 million dollars since they exceeded the international bonus pool limit.
The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal with Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada, MLB.com first reported Monday morning.
The deal is reported to be worth $31.5 million, which would be a record for an international amateur player. However, Moncada actually will cost the Red Sox $63 million because they must pay a 100 percent fee for exceeding Major League Baseball’s international bonus pool limit.
Moncada, 19, hit .277/.388/.380 with four homers and 28 RBI in two seasons (101 games) of professional baseball in Cuba before leaving the country in 2014. The switch-hitting, five-tool prospect played primarily second base in Cuba, but it remains to be seen where he will play in the minors/majors.
Moncada to #RedSox, deal in $30M range, per @JesseSanchezMLB.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 23, 2015
While the Red Sox don’t seem to have a particular spot open for Moncada at the moment, they kept them from their division rivals in New York.
Said on @MLBNetwork this AM that #RedSox don’t have obvious spot for Moncada. Pedroia signed thru 2021, Sandoval thru 19, Hanley thru 18…
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 23, 2015
However, having too many good players is never a problem. #RedSox can figure out rest later. And they keep Moncada away from #Yankees.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 23, 2015