RADIO
Boston reached an agreement with Yoan Moncada early Monday morning. The Cuban infielder has agreed to a $31.5 million deal.
Due to Major League Baseball's international signing guidelines, Boston with have to pay the league an additional fee-- equal to Moncada's contract value-- by the end of the year. The signing guideline brings Boston's total investment to an estimated $60 million, and it could prove to be a worthwhile one-- many consider the switch-hitting infielder to be among the most talented players to ever come out of Cuba. Last season, Moncada hit .273/.365/.406 over 195 plate appearances.
The deal did come as quite a surprise. Most pundits assumed the 19-year-old sensation would end up signing with the New York Yankees. Indeed, hoping to fill a Robinson Cano-sized void, the Bombers offered Moncada a $25 million deal, and were reportedly willing to go up to $27 million. The Yankees certainly seemed to have the greatest need to acquire Moncada out of the other teams (Dodgers, Red Sox) in the running for the young star. They also had the money and resources, which is what kept them at the front of the pack as rumors of the deal spread.
Now, a new round of speculation will begin around Boston's urgent acquisition of Moncada. Was it a well-considered plan to ensure their New York rivals couldn't grab him? The Red Sox have been collecting a bunch of young talent of late. Could this be a possible trade strategy for Boston, or do they plan to see how Moncada develops? ]
We'll just have to wait and see as the story develops and we hear from Boston's top brass, but suffice it to say that the Sox have made yet another big offseason splash.
