Jorge Soler, the second big Cuban free agent to hit the open market this year (after Yoenis Cespedes, who went to the Oakland Athletics), isn’t wasting any time. He wants all bids for his services in by Thursday, according to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago:
Cuban Free Agent Jorge Soler Wants All Bids In By Thursday
According to a major league source, all teams have been asked by Soler’s agents, Praver-Shapiro Sports Management, to get in their best bid for the 19-year-old, five-tool player by June 7. The going rate for Soler’s services is expected to be between $25-35 million, according to industry sources.
The Cuban defector by way of the Dominican Republic must be signed before July 2 in order to get paid under baseball’s previous collective bargaining agreement. The old agreement is not subject to the new taxes and sanctions that the new CBA will incorporate.
The last paragraph is the key; Soler and his agents clearly want bids in soon so they can weigh offers in the four weeks before July 2. The Chicago Cubs were said to be one of the teams most highly interested in Soler, but the White Sox, Yankees and Marlins, among others, have also shown interest.
“All clubs will have an equal opportunity to bring ‘Soler Power’ to their organization,” agent Barry Praver said.
One thing we can hope for, no matter who signs him, is that there is an instant moratorium on puns based on Soler’s last name.
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