Report: Some see Yankees, Red Sox, Padres as favorites for Yoan Moncada
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres are perceived by some baseball executives as the favorites to land Cuban free agent Yoan Moncada, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are also reportedly "lurking," while teams like the Milwaukee Brewers may also be interested in signing Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitter who defected from Cuba in August and became eligible for MLB free agency after establishing residency in Guatemala.
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Moncada's representatives have not offered comment beyond saying they would like a deal to be in place by the end of this month.
The Yankees have held three private workouts with Moncada, reports the New York Post. They held two on consecutive days this past week, with general partner Hank Steinbrenner in attendance on Thursday. Moncada reportedly faced live minor league pitching in both workouts.
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Moncada could receive as much as $30 million in signing bonuses during the current international signing period, which runs through June 15, or wait until the next signing period that begins two weeks later. Teams that have exceeded their intentional signing limits, like the Yankees and Dodgers, would owe a 100 percent tax on Moncada's salary should they sign him.
Moncada played second base, shortstop and center field during the 2013-14 Serie Nacional season, hitting .273 in 195 plate appearances.
- Mike Fiammetta
