According to multiple reports, the Cubs have signed free-agent Cuban lefty Geraldo Concepcion. The 19-year reportedly inked a $7 million contract with the Cubs according to Enrique Rojas. The length of the contract has not been announced.
Updated 7:15pm CST with scouting report on Gerardo Concepcion.
Updated 7:45pm CST with more information on the signing … according to the Tribune, Gerardo Concepcion will receive an invite to Spring Training. According to Enrique Rojas, Concepcion’s deal is filled with incentives that could up the money to $8 million.
Updated 8:29pm CST – According to the Tribune, Concepcion’s deal is a Major League contract. If the report is correct, the Cubs will have to make a corresponding roster move to add Concepcion to the 40-man roster. The length of the contract has not been announced and there are reports that have stated it is a Major League deal. If the Cubs signed Gerardo Concepcion to a Major League deal they would have to create a spot on the 40-man roster.
According to a report from el Nuevo Herald (in Spanish), the Cubs stepped up and showed more willingness to sign Gerardo Concepcion than the other teams that were interested. The Cubs think they can turn Concepcion into a frontline starter. Concepcion established residency in Mexico and has been working out for teams in the Dominican Republic.
Scouting Report on Gerardo Concepcion
Gerardo Concepcion was named rookie of the year in Cuba in 2010-2011. Concepcion posted a 3.36 ERA in 101 2/3 innings with 53 strikeouts and 43 walks facing older competition in Cuba.
Concepcion is 6-foot-2 with long arms, sloped shoulders and an athletic wiry frame. According to Baseball America, Concepcion is advanced to his age and can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate … but he does not possess the stuff to miss bats.
Concepcion throws a fastball that ranges anywhere from 86-92 MPH and features a mid-70s curveball that shows good depth at times but can get loopy. Concepcion also features a change-up that some have called a splitter … either pitch is consider a work in progress.
Some think Concepcion might end up a fourth or fifth starter in a big league rotation.
Gerardo Concepcion could begin the season in Low Class-A with the Peoria Chiefs or in Short-Season A-ball with the Boise Hawks.
Will update as more information is made available …
Updated 7:45pm CST – According to the Tribune, Gerardo Concepcion will receive an invitation to big league camp this spring. Concepcion’s agent, Jaime Torres, said he thinks his client can make it to the majors quickly but is not ready right now.
The Tribune also reported the Cubs remain active in their pursuit of both Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler.
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