You might’ve thought that Jorge Soler would be the final big-time international free agent to sign before the new rules take effect on July 2. Soler was the final big-time international free agent to sign, but he wasn’t the last international free agent to sign for good money, as the New York Yankees have put a few million dollars toward a Cuban teenager.
Yankees Sign Cuban Omar Luis Rodriguez
The New York Yankees have made a splash in the international market, signing Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez for a few million dollars.
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That teenager? Omar Luis Rodriguez.
Left-handed Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez has agreed to a minor league deal with Yankees for est. $4-5 M. Check MLB.com
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) June 20, 2012
Rodriguez is 19 years old, and drew attention to himself during the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship. He was declared a free agent at the beginning of June, and according to Jesse Sanchez, he was also being watched by the Dodgers, Royals, and Phillies, in addition to the Yankees. Sanchez says that Rodriguez profiles as a starter long-term, but, again, he’s 19 years old, so his career could go in almost literally any direction.
Expect one or several more international free agents to sign with teams before July 2. Among them should be Cuban righty Armando Rivero.
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