Lazarito Armenteros is reportedly not close to a decision, still mulling options.
Lazarito Armenteros became eligible to sign with a team on Wednesday (Feb. 10) and the 16-year was expected to make a decision on his future by that time. Lazarito has created quite the buzz throughout the game with as few as nine teams reportedly showing strong interest in him.
The Cubs, along with the Dodgers, Braves, Padres and Phillies have been connected to him. Lazarito is subject to International signing guidelines and reports have suggested his signing bonus could be anywhere from $15 million to $30 million, which would make his total cost to the team that signs him between $30-60 million.
According to Jesse Sanchez, Lazarito is still considering his options and is not close to making a decision. More teams have entered the mix and he could wait until July 2 to sign with a team.
Sanchez spoke with Lazarito’s agent and Charles Hairston said he is “being very mature” for a young man that just wants to play baseball but also “wants to what’s best for his family.”
Hairston told Sanchez that he is “still considering signing during the current period” which ends on June 15.
If Lazarito decides to sign before the end of the current 2015-16 International signing period, teams such as the Cubs, Giants, Dodgers and Royals would be able to sign him. If he waits until July 2, those four teams would be ineligible due to exceeding their International signing bonus pool. Teams like the Braves, Padres, Phillies and Cardinals would figure to be very aggressive on Lazarito when the new signing period begins.
Lazarito worked out for the Braves last Saturday and had his last private workout with a team on Monday. Reports have yet to surface which team Lazarito worked out for two days before he was eligible to sign.
Jesse Sanchez and Jim Bowden have reported the Cubs are one of the clubs with strong interest in Lazarito. According to Sahadev Sharma, it is “unlikely” Lazarito signs with the Cubs unless his price comes down. The Cubs are not willing to meet his asking price.
• Full Report from Jesse Sanchez