Star Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada is close to becoming a free agent after it was determined he no longer needs a specific unblocking license from the Office of Foreign Asset Controls.
Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan first reported the news, noting that the highly coveted 19-year-old infielder could potentially start negotiations with MLB teams in two weeks. Because teams will have to essentially pay double for the already expensive youngster, Passan believes the big-money clubs are the favorites:
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs remain the favorites for Moncada, major league sources said, particularly because the team that signs him will need to pay nearly a dollar-for-dollar penalty on his bonus. For every dollar a team spends over its allotted international bonus pool between July 2, 2014, and June 15, 2015, it is taxed an equal amount.
According to Passan, there is more hype surrounding Moncada than there was for talented compatriots such as Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman and Yoenis Cespedes. Baseball America‘s Ben Badler added that he has more upside than Rusney Castillo and is better than Yasmany Tomas, suggesting that he would be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick if eligible for the 2015 draft.
All of that is incredibly high praise, but by all indications, Moncada is worth it. Standing at 6’1″ and 210 pounds at the age of the 19, the switch-hitting infielder is a legitimate five-tool talent.
ESPN the Magazine‘s Molly Knight puts the Los Angeles Dodgers as her favorite to acquire the young prospect:
You can expect a handful of teams to be equally aggressive, as Moncada will almost assuredly break the signing-bonus record recently set by Yoan Lopez.
As Passan discussed, there are still some details to be worked out that could delay this process. But Moncada’s free agency appears imminent, and that means one team is close to adding a potential future superstar.
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