On Thursday it was announced Texas Rangers prospect infielder Jurickson Profar would undergo surgery on his right shoulder after an MRI revealed a strain of the teres major muscle. Is general manager Jon Daniels now ramping up efforts to sign Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada?
Although the Rangers had Moncada conduct a private workout for them, it's highly unlikely they'll be able to land the 19-year-old infielder. And it's not because big market teams such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are currently the favorites to land him - the Rangers simply aren't allowed to sign a player as expensive as Moncada until the next international signing period begins on July 2.
Texas, along with the Chicago Cubs, exceeded their bonus pools by 15% in the previous signing period, which forbids them from spending over $300,000 during the current period on a player under the age of 23 - who are subjected to the pools. And unfortunately, Moncada is expected to receive a signing bonus of up to $50 million, according to recent reports. The only shot the Rangers have at Moncada is if he fails to sign a contract before the 2014-2015 period ends on June 15.
As for Profar, the 22-year-old was the team's former No. 1 prospect, but his future with the Rangers is now in jeopardy because he'll gain a full year of service time while on the disabled list, which makes him eligible for salary arbitration after the 2015 season. This means he'll be due for a significant raise in 2016 and the Rangers may not be interested in keeping him around since he's undergoing a significant procedure on his shoulder in a crucial stretch of his career where he needs to take the next step forward.
On top of that, although his minor league stats were promising in terms of his potential development at the professional level, he has batted just .231/.301/.343/.645 with 32 runs scored, seven home runs, 28 RBIs and two stolen bases in 94 games with the Rangers over the past two seasons. His lengthy absence may force the Rangers to move on.
"It sets up the real possibility that by the time Profar is ready to play the Rangers won't have a role for him and his trade value will have eroded from two years of inactivity," writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
So unless Moncada fails to sign a contract before June 15, look for them to move forward with 21-year-old Rougned Odor at second base. He slashed .259/.297/.402 with 39 runs scored, nine home runs and 48 RBIs in 114 games with the Rangers in 2014.
