According to reports from Baseball America’s Ben Badler, the Cubs have signed Dominican Dominican left hander Wander Cabrera, Dominican shortstop Yeiler Peguero and Dominican third baseman Tony Rijo.
The 2014-15 International signing period began Wednesday and these are the first three players the Cubs are believed to have agreed to terms on contracts with this year.
Both Cabrera and Peguero reportedly agreed to sign for $250,000, the maximum the Cubs can sign a player for this during the 2014-15 International signing period, and Rijo signed for $100,000.
LHP Wander Cabrera signed for $250,000 and his deal includes $50,000 college scholarship money that does not count against the Cubs bonus pool. Cabrera is 6-foot-2, 190 pounds “and has shown solid arm strength” for being only 16 years old. Cabrera still needs to work on his delivery and throwing strikes according to Baseball America.
SS Yeiler Peguero is 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds with “an above average arm” and is an “above-average runner.” Baseball America thinks he has a chance to stick as a middle infielder. Peguero is a switch-hitter with a line-drive approach. Peguero signed for $250,000.
3B Tony Rijo is 16 years old and is 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. Rijo is a right handed hitter with quick hands, a line-drive stroke and occasional power according to Baseball America. Rijo’s offense is reportedly ahead of his defense. Rijo has an average arm and “projects as either a third baseman or a corner outfielder.” The Cubs signed Rijo for $100,000.
The Cubs have an International signing bonus pool of $3,962,700 for the 2014-15 period and are expected to trade one or more of their slot values.
- Here are the Cubs four slot values: (1) $2,288,700; (2) $458,000; (3) $309,300; (4) $206,700
The exemption that allowed teams to sign up to six players for up to $50,000 without it counting against the bonus pool has been eliminated this year. Teams can still sign players for $10,000 or less without it counting against the bonus pool.
Baseball America is not sure how many of the slots the Cubs will be able to include in trades. And the Cubs could end up signing “a lot of players in the $100,000 to $250,000 range.”
- International Signing Bonus Pools
- Four Slot Values for Each MLB Team
- Baseball America – Team-By-Team International Forecasts
- MLB.com – Top 30 International Prospects
- MLB.com – International Signing Rules