As expected the news and rumors have heated up surrounding 19-year old infielder Yoan Moncada. And he reportedly already has one offer on the table.
Jesse Sanchez reported Wednesday morning that the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Dodgers are expected to watch Moncada workout in Florida this week. The Cubs reportedly had a private workout with Moncada scheduled several weeks back, but it’s unknown if that meeting took place.
The Cubs cannot sign Moncada until the new International signing period begins on July 2 and a report Wednesday from Carrie Muskat acknowledged the Cubs are a long shot to sign Moncada but are doing their due diligence by attending this week’s workout.
Reports Tuesday pointed to the process coming to an end for Moncada with his agent possibly looking at a two-week timeframe to have his client signed and in camp. According to Jesse Sanchez, teams have been told Moncada “intends to complete all private workouts by Feb. 23.”
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick spoke with Moncada’s agent, David Hastings, who confirmed the timeframe reported by Jesse Sanchez. Moncada has “four or five more private workouts scheduled with Major League Baseball teams in the next week and hope to decide where he will sign by Feb. 23.”
Several of the teams interested in Moncada have requested second workouts as expected. Hastings said he does not have additional meetings scheduled for Moncada after next week.
Hastings explained they are hoping to be done gathering information by Feb. 23 and make a decision at that point where he will sign.
According to Jerry Crasnick, teams have worked out Moncada at second base, third base, shortstop and in the outfield. It could be easier to list the teams that haven’t worked out or scouted Moncada at this point in the process. According to multiple reports, the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Padres, Tigers, Braves, Brewers, Rays, Angels, Dodgers have held private workouts for Moncada. And the Cubs are among the other group of teams believed to include the Phillies, A’s and Cardinals that have scouted him rather heavily.
Jerry Crasnick reported Moncada “already has one concrete offer in hand” but his agent would not say which team officially started the bidding process. Hastings did say “he would prefer that the negotiations move quickly to hasten Moncada’s long-term development.”
Yoan Moncada is now expected to receive a signing bonus between $30-50 million, which on the high-end of the speculation would make him a $100 million player. If Moncada receives a $50 million signing bonus, there are less than a handful of teams that could write a check that large to Major League Baseball by July 15. And one of those teams resides in the Bronx.
- Full Report from Jesse Sanchez
- Full Report from Jerry Crasnick
- Agent Hopeful Process Coming to an End, Cubs Reportedly Watching Workout