According to a report from Jesse Sanchez, the Cubs have agreed to a $2.8 million signing bonus with Dominican outfielder Eloy Jimenez. Sanchez reported the deal also includes a $250,000 college scholarship.
According to Sanchez, Eloy Jimenez is at the Cubs’ new facility in the Dominican Republic and the deal is official.
The Cubs have not announced the signing.
The Cubs also signed catcher Johan Matos on Wednesday, as expected, for $270,000.
The Cubs have exceeded their International signing bonus pool of $5,520,300 with the signings of Eloy Jimenez ($2.8 million), Gleyber Torres ($1.7 million), Jefferson Mejia ($850,000), Erling Moreno ($800,000) and Johan Matos ($270,000). If the reported signing bonuses are correct, the Cubs have committed $6,420,000 to sign the five players. The Cubs will have to add slot money before the signings are announced, so trades could be made in the coming days to include international slot money. Or the Cubs could take the penalty and be restricted next year while paying a tax on the overage.
Report: Cubs to Sign OF Eloy Jimenez – includes scouting information
Penalties for Exceeding Pool on International Draft
- 0-5 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage.
- 5-10 percent over pool: 75 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won’t be allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.
- 10-15 percent over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won’t be allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.
- 15 percent or more over pool: 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Team won’t be allowed to sign a player for more than $250,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.