Back in February the Boston Red Sox landed 19-year-old Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada to a record-setting $31.5 million signing bonus for an international amateur player. The New York Yankees were also in the running for Moncada, but fell short in the final moments of the bidding process.
Earlier in the offseason Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team's $25 million offer was their "final and best offer" and that it wasn't the winning bid. New York was hesitant to offer more money because they -- along with the other teams involved in the bidding -- were required to pay a 100% tax on Moncada's signing bonus.
So a $25 million deal was actually a $50 million deal, and Boston's $31.5 million deal was actually a $63 million deal.
"We scouted him extensively for years," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, via Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "I feel we put him through the highest level of scouting and medical evaluation. I just wasn't comfortable offering what we actually offered [$25 million], let alone going any higher."
Cafardo added:
"When agent David Hastings came back to the Yankees after the Red Sox went to $31.5 million - exceeding their own $25 million cap - Cashman said he was out."
This account of the situation is different that the previously believed notion that the Yankees were not able to out-bid the Red Sox. Back in February it was reported when the Yankees made the offer, Hastings simply said "it wasn't going to be enough" and Cashman added he wasn't given the chance to top Boston's $31.5 million.
If Cashman had the opportunity to exceed the $31.5 million, there were many reasons for him to do so.
First off, the Yankees' farm system, despite significant improvement this offseason, still has ways to go, and the addition of Moncada would have immediately provided the organization more talent. Additionally, Moncada's ability to hit for power (from both sides of the plate) as a middle infielder is something the MLB has been missing in recent years and those skills could have put New York in a good position for the future. Lastly, the Yankees still have yet to replace Robinson Cano at second base, and scouts have raved Moncada will eventually be a star once he hits the majors. He could have potentially been Cano's successor if his development progressed as planned.
Nonetheless, based on Cafardo's account, the Yankees had the chance of topping Boston's offer. Only time will tell to see who won this battle.
