The New York Yankees’ have had a quiet offseason thus far, but could be poised to make a little noise internationally. Rumor has it that the Yankees are among the frontrunners to sign 19-year-old Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada.
As per usual with the Yankees, however, they’re expected to face stiff competition from the Boston Red Sox for him.
Yes. NYY & BOS are the heavy favorites. RT @NorbertoPaulino Have you heard anything on if the Red Sox are indeed in on Moncada?
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) January 8, 2015
There are questions about the Yankees’ and Red Sox’ ability to sign Moncada, because of previous spending on international talent. Because of their previous expenditures the Yankees and Sox are in the max penalty range for the 2014-15 international signing period. Since Moncada is less than 23 years old and hasn’t played in a Cuban pro league for a minimum of five seasons he’s subject to international signing guidelines.
They, along with the Tampa Bay Rays, will not be able to sign players in Moncada’s position for the next two signing periods, and will not be eligible to bring him aboard if he isn’t cleared by the Office of Foreign Control and Asset by June 15.
The scouting reports on Moncada are glowing. He’s considered a five-tool talent like Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig and Chicago Cubs prospect Jorge Soler.
"He's worth going way over your international spending pool, in my opinion," one scouting director said per MLB.com. "This game is about talent and Moncada is the kind of talent worth the investment."
Moncada participated in a workout that was impressive, although one scout lamented the fact he didn’t face live pitching.
"Moncada had a great workout, showing his five-tool potential," the scout said. "He is in great shape. Unfortunately, he was not able to hit off live game pitching. We will need to see him off of live pitching to command the top dollars they are looking for."
Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs broke down the thinking on Moncada as well.
“Moncada is 19 and packs a lot of tools into his 6'1", 210-pound frame. He’s a plus-plus runner with above-average raw power from both sides of the plate and the tools/skills to stick in the infield, possibly at shortstop. Moncada is the quick-twitch type with big bat speed that clubs covet, and his track record of hitting at big tournaments and in Cuba’s professional leagues is excellent considering his age.”
[MLB.com]
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