FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – The Boston Red Sox are all in on Cuba, with their pursuit of acclaimed prospect Yoan Moncada the latest example.
Moncada’s representative, David Hastings, said Tuesday he is hopeful the contract with a $31.5 million bonus will be finalized by the end of the week.
The cost to the Red Sox will double that, because of the tax for exceeding the international signing bonus pool, a provision in baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.
General manager Ben Cherington decline to confirm the agreement with Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitting, multi-skilled middle infielder who was heavily courted by multiple teams. Moncada’s physical is scheduled for Wednesday.
Owner John Henry says he’s not concerned about the risk of spending so much on a teenager with such little experience.
___
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.