Less than a week after a source said the Los Angeles Dodgers were having "serious reservations" about signing Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada, the team looks like they might be making an even greater push for the 19-year-old.
According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers held another private workout for Moncada on Thursday in Clearwater, Florida, during which a "number of the team's top executives were in attendance." Moncada is considered the top prospect in Cuba and is garnering interest from a number of other clubs, such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Padres, Rangers, Tigers, Brewers and Rays.
The news of the Dodgers holding another workout for Moncada is significant because his agent, David Hastings, said earlier in the week that the prospect hopes to sign with a team soon as he sorts through contract offers over the next couple of weeks. The switch-hitting middle infielder was cleared to sign with an MLB team last Monday after submitting the proper paperwork to the league and the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The number has varied throughout the offseason, but it has largely been speculated the 19-year-old will sign a deal that is worth between $30 million and $50 million. In fact, Rosenthal also reported that one executive expects Moncada to get $40 million to $50 million. But that's not all. The team that lands the prized prospect will have to pay a 100% tax on his contract because that amount of money will exceed the international bonus pool for the 2014-2015 signing period. Once a club exceeds their pool by 15%, they are subjected to the 100% tax, which means Moncada will actually cost between $80 million and $100 million. That team will also be limited in acquiring international players in subsequent signing periods.
Los Angeles has been linked to Moncada for much of the offseason, as have many of the big market clubs because of his high price tag. Adding the middle infielder to their farm system, which is ranked 10th in the league by ESPN's Keith Law, would set themselves up nicely for the future. The team already has promising young stars Joc Pederson, Julio Urias, Corey Seager and others making their way up the ladder to eventually reach the major league roster.
Despite their apparent serious interest, the team must be weighing the pros and cons for making such a signing because of the immense risk.
"Perhaps more than the money, the Dodgers will take into account the restrictions on future signings, as they are in the process of rebuilding a farm system that was depleted under the ownership of Frank McCourt," writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
We'll keep an eye on for Moncada over the next couple of weeks.
