Red Sox Sign Yoan Moncada

The Red Sox have signed Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada to a $31.5M signing bonus, Joel Sherman of the New York post reported on Twitter. According to Sherman, the Yankees, hyped as Moncada’s most likely destination, were willing to pay up to $27M.

Prior to signing, Moncada also had private workouts for the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, Rays, D-Backs, Tigers, Giants, Rangers, and Cubs.

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With black holes at second base and plenty of money to spend, the Padres and Yankees seemed to offer Moncada the best opportunity to play as soon as he was ready. The Red Sox were viewed as more of a sleeper-candidate, ready to jump but only if the price was right.

By signing Moncada, the Red Sox have exceeded their international bonus pool for the 2014-15 period and will pay a 100% tax on the $31.5M bonus. Furthermore, they will not be able to spend more than $300K on 2015-16 and 2016-17 international free agents.

Moncada may be well worth the bonus and spending restrictions, as he has been the most sought-after international free agent in recent memory. Scouts regard him as a true five-tool talent who could become the next Robinson Cano or Chase Headley (in his prime).

Unlike Cano and Headley, Moncada does not offer elite defense to the Red Sox, but his power upside has been compared to Yasmany Thomas, who inked a $68M deal with the D-Backs earlier this offseason, and his speed earns a 70 grade from most scouts, giving him true 30-30 potential.

Moncada may have a hard time cracking the major league roster in his first professional season.

Dustin Pedroia, the unofficial captain of the ‘Sox, has manned second base for the past nine seasons, earned four All-Star selections, won an MVP, and has $96.5M guaranteed on his current contract.

Xander Bogaerts struggled in his first full big league season, posting only an 85 OPS+, but he has rare bat and glove upside at shortstop, and still has five years of team control remaining.

At third base, where Moncada reportedly looked best in workouts, the Red Sox just guaranteed $95M over five years to Pablo Sandoval.

Moncada could play in any of the three outfield positions given his athleticism, but there the Red Sox have blooming superstar Mookie Betts, former top prospect Jackie Bradley Jr., 72 million dollar man Rusney Castillo, Allen Craig and his career 115 OPS+, Daniel Nava, a league average hitter or better in the last three seasons, do-it-all man Brock Holt, Shane Victorino, named the starting right fielder by manager John Ferrel, and Hanley Ramirez, who signed an $88M deal with the Red Sox this offseason, with the intention of moving to left field.

Moncada will require at least one or two seasons in the minor league to get his game ready for the majors, so certainly the Red Sox could sort out their positional situation during that time.

Most likely, Boston will move Sandoval to first base when Napoli’s contract expires after this season.

There’s always a place for a player who can hit, run, field, throw, and hit for power. The Red Sox pounced on the opportunity to add a top-10 prospect in baseball to the system, even if that player doesn’t fill any noticeable needs. We’ll see how it pans out over the next half-decade.

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