MLB Free Agents: Chicago Cubs Sign Gerardo Concepcion
By Editorial Staff
It is being reported that the Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with free agent starting pitcher Gerardo Concepcion. The Cuban left-hander’s deal is reportedly worth $7 million plus incentives.
Concepcion appears to be the first of the big-name Cuban defectors to sign with a major league club this winter. The 18-year-old established residency in Mexico before being declared a free agentby Major League Baseball in the middle of January.
Soon after this declaration, it was reported that several clubs had expressed interest in Concepcion. Of the clubs listed, the Rangers, Yankees, Cubs and White Sox had reportedly “expressed the most interest” in the teenager.
Last week it was reported that Concepcion was close to reaching an agreement with a major league club and it now appears the Cuban native has found his new team. Concepcion is expected to start his professional career in the minor leagues, though it’s unclear as of yet which level he is slated for.
Concepcion was named the 2010-11 Rookie of the Year in the Cuban Serie Nacional. The youngster performed extremely well in Cuba’s main amateur league, compiling a record of 10-3 over his 21 appearances and 16 starts to go with a 3.36 ERA.
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You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.