Rumors: Could Yoan Moncada End Up With The Yankees?…Maybe

Another Cuban prospect will be showcasing his stuff in the not too distant future. Scouts have apparently called him the next Jorge Soler. However, it’s a strong possibility the Yankees could kick the tires on him and then probably not add him.

He is 19-year-old infielder Yoan Moncada.  Moncada will be playing in an showcase per MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez,  in Guatemala since that’s where his residency is currently. However, because he’s under 23 and played less than five years as a pro, he’s not a regular free agent like fellow Cuban Yasmany Tomas. 

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Moncada can play short or third, two places the Yankees could use a bit of an infusion of talent and youth at. Now why did I say in the headline, don’t expect the Yankees to grab him?

Well, the only way they have a chance is if he is cleared to sign before June 15. In that case, the Yankees have a much better chance in landing him. If he’s cleared after June 15, it counts toward the money from the 2014 pool.

Sanchez breaks it down here:

"“The Moncada sweepstakes will be interesting. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, who have a reputation for signing top talent on the international market, have spent more than 15 percent of their allotted bonus pools and are in the maximum penalty range for the 2014-15 signing period. The penalty includes a 100 percent tax on their pool overage and prohibits them from signing any pool-eligible player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods.”"

Keep an eye on this situation all off-season long as this could be a very big story.