Yoan Moncada: Yankees Have Already Worked Him Out Privately

According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Cuban defector and shortstop Yoan Moncada will be scheduling private workouts with teams in the coming weeks. The New York Yankees according to Badler’s report, have already held a private workout session for the 19-year old phenom. Badler goes on to state that Moncada, who is currently living in Guatamala, is awaiting clearance from OFLAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), and once that happens, Moncada can sign with any team he wishes.

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Signing Moncada could be the last impact international move from the Yankees for quite sometime, as they have spent well over their allotment for their international talent limits for 2014-15. Meaning, they’ll have very little available to spend moving forward for the next couple of years. Badler views Moncada as a game-changer, who rather than being projected as a natural shortstop, most likely will be converted to third or second base as he continues to develop.

The Yankees thus far, have signed 10 of the top 30 international prospects according to B.A., and Moncada could be the crown jewel. The team is viewed by most, as one of the heavy favorites to be all-in, and with facing a $300,000 cap going forward on international talent, expect the Yankees to blow away anyone else in the conversation who might have interest in Moncada.

The team will be facing deep financial penalties regardless, literally matching a dollar-for-dollar penalty for any contract they might sign Moncada to. It’s imperative for the Yankees however, that Moncada gets his clearance from the U.S. government, and signs before the international period ends on June 15th of this year, for if he doesn’t, and they don’t, the Yankees will only have the $300K to sign Moncada, essentially removing the team from competing for his services.