Bombers Bites: Taking Wait And See Approach On Yoan Moncada

By Ricky Keeler |

When the news that Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada signed with the Boston Red Sox on Monday, all of New York Yankees nation was sent in an uproar. With Boston offering $31.5 million, the Yankees’ reportedly were only willing to go up to $27 million. With the 100% tax that will have to be paid by Boston, that is $61 million that will be going to a 19-year old that won’t even be in the major leagues this upcoming season.

Yes, the New York Yankees have not signed any of the Cuban sensations that have been a success in the big leagues such as Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, and Aroldis Chapman. However, while those players have had success, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Moncada is going to pan out.

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Last year, when Boston signed Rusney Castillo to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract, it was another player that Yankees fans seemed to have wanted. So far, Castillo has only had a handful of bats in the big leagues and the jury is still out on whether the 27-year old is going to be a star with the Boston Red Sox.

On the one hand, the excitement of the Moncada sweepstakes brought about a different change in the mindset of Yankees fans. Gone seem to be the days of championship or bust. Instead, there is a stronger emphasis on player development and trying to build a stretch of postseason appearances. While Moncada would have been a nice piece in that proverbial puzzle, the Yankees have other young infielders in the minor league system that can make an impact in 2015.

One of the pieces I would recommend reading is about the Yankees young second baseman in the minor league system is an article written by Quinn Barry from Grading On The Curve. In this article, he mentions Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela as players that can make an impact in 2015. In Refsnyder’s case, if he improves his defense, he has shown in the minor leagues that he is solid at the plate, which is why some fans wanted him in the big leagues last season.

If Moncada had signed, what would New York have done with Rob Refsnyder? What about if Moncada wanted to play shortstop? Well, New York has a young shortstop that will start at the rookie level in Pulaski by the name of Jorge Mateo, who could be in the big leagues in a couple of years. Plus, the Bronx Bombers acquired a young shortstop this winter via trade in Didi Gregorius.

Plus, let’s not forget that the Yankees were one of the big spenders during this international signing period. The Yankees did sign some young international talent such as an outfielder in Juan DeLeon and an infielder in Dermis Garcia.

As great as Moncada is projected to be, part of this outrage has to stem from the fact that he chose to sign with the Red Sox. I doubt that if Moncada choose to sign with the big money Los Angeles Dodgers that the outrage would be to this extreme level.

Remember the offseason of 2006 when the Boston Red Sox signed Daisuke Matsuzaka? New York had to go out and get the next best thing, so they went and got Kei Igawa. Look how that signing turned out.

While the Yankees farm system isn’t exactly one of the best in the game, it is a system that continues to improve as players like Gregory Bird, Luis Severino, and Aaron Judge continue to rise through the system. While Moncada would have been a good addition, it is not a decision I am going to go irate over right now. Three years from now, it might be a different story. But, for now, let’s wait and see!

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