Red Sox Sign Cuban Prospect Yoan Mancada
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Joe Robbins/Getty Images(BOSTON, Ma.) — The Boston Red Sox have signed 19-year-old Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, according to his representative.
The Red Sox will pay the switch-hitting Moncada a signing bonus of $31.5 million dollars, once he passes a pair of physicals. The team will also have to pay Major League Baseball an additional $31.5 million as a tax for surpassing the international bonus money allotment.
Last season, Boston signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo to a six-year, $72.5 million dollar contract.
Moncada is expected to begin his career in the minor leagues with the Portland Seadogs, Boston’s Double A affiliate.
Additionally, the Red Sox have signed Moncada’s close friend, 26-year-old Carlos Mesa, according to Moncada’s agent, David Hastings.
“He would have gone with Yoan even if the Red Sox had not signed him,” Hastings said Monday night. “Carlos will help Yoan with his transition. He speaks English as well as Spanish.”
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