UPDATE:
There are nine teams who are now heavily involved in bidding for 16-year-old Cuban prospect Lazaro (Lazarito) Armenteros,
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 3, 2016
Source: Lazarito is now considering teams for this int'l signing period or the next & is expected to make a decision as early as 2/10 (1/2)
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) February 3, 2016
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Last offseason the Atlanta Braves were one of the finalists for Cuban slugger Hector Olivera, but he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (before he was traded to Atlanta at the MLB's non-waiver deadline).
The latest rumors suggest the Braves are again interested in another Cuban player, but this time it's a 16-year-old prospect.
"Cuban prospect Lazaro Robersy Armenteros Arango, known as 'Lazarito,' is expected to sign with a Major League team next week, and the Atlanta Braves are among the teams making a strong push to acquire the teenage outfielder," writes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
"According to industry sources, the Braves are scheduled to hold a private workout for Armenteros, 16, on Saturday at the club's academy in San Pedro de Macoris."
The MLB declared Lazarito a free agent in January and he'll be eligible to sign on Feb. 10. It was recently reported that the youngster could be ready to make his decision by that date after 140 scouts attended his showcase in January, which was the first time MLB teams were able to see him play in person.
Sanchez says Lazarito is "expected to command" a signing bonus between $15-$20 million, but that should be taken with a grain of salt considering many believed Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada could land a $50 million signing bonus last offseason (he ended up getting a $31.5 million bonus from the Red Sox).
However, Lazarito could certainly land that type of dollar figure considering many MLB teams covet top Cuban prospects. Sanchez also notes that teams may get into a bidding war over the 16-year-old, which could increase his price tag.
He'll be in high demand because, although he's subject to the MLB's international spending pool guidelines, he's one of few international players given an exemption to sign during the current international signing period after missing the cutoff date (May 15) to register before July 2 (when each new signing period begins).
One thing we know for sure is that the Dodgers, Giants, Cubs and Royals won't be allowed to sign Lazarito because each of those clubs exceeded its bonus pools during the current internationals signing period.
