Jorge Soler and his agents are expected to decide who he will sign with today. They had given a deadline of this
weekend for teams to submit bids for the 20-year old outfielder with the intention of announcing the decision today. According to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun Times, the Cubs, who were considered the favorites by most to land Soler, may find out if they won the bidding war, and they are hopeful.
"Team insiders were hopeful, if not optimistic, of landing the power-hitting corner outfielder, even as the New York Yankees were said to be aggressively involved."
The Yankees and Dodgers were also making heavy pushes over the weekend to sign Soler, but the Cubs still seem to be the favorites. Bids, of course, were not released to the public.
Fox News reported earlier today that the Yankees, who missed out on the Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes sweepstakes, were making one final push yesterday to get the Cuban star. Many outlets have equated Soler to a top-ten draft pick, but almost everyone agrees he will need some seasoning in the minor leagues.
"The Yankees are “trying very hard to sign him,” according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking."
The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the New York Yankees were all in the hunt for Soler, but Theo Epstein of the Cubs recently told media that numerous other teams were involved in the bidding. While the Cubs may be the favorite, no one can know for sure where Soler will sign. Yoenis Cespedes is a good example of the uncertainty in signing international free agents. No one expected him to sign with the Oakland A’s.
There is no set time for Soler and his agents’ decision, but it should come later today at some point. He has to sign with a team by July 2nd to fall under the old CBA rules. Otherwise, he will be limited to a $2.9 million offer under the CBA regulations.