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Red Sox Outbid Yankees for Yoan Moncada’s Services

By Lou Musto

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The Boston Red Sox will sign the most prized international free agent on the market this offseason, 19-year-old Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada to a deal worth$31.5 million, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees bite the dust again.

The blow is devastating for the Yankees, who need young superstars more than anything. Yet when the opportunity finally arose for them to acquire one the best way they need how—big money—they were unwilling to spend.

Now, they will have the misfortune of seeing Moncada quite often in the near future, with great potential the five-tool prospect could abuse them at the plate and in the field every time they meet.

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Obviously, there is a chance Moncada doesn’t pan out. Signing him will cost the Red Sox over $60 million without ever actually seeing him playing a professional baseball game. But to miss out on a player of his caliber over something the Yankees have so willingly spent in the past on far worst talent (see: Jaret Wright) is surprising to see from New York.

Moncada hit .273/.365/.405 in 195 plate appearances in Cuba’s Serie Nacional this past year. He’s believed to be a plus-hitter with good pop, a spectacular glove and great speed on the basepaths. From MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo said this about him following his showcase in Guatemala:

"Different sources had Moncada timed differently in the 60-yard dash, though he ran somewhere in the 6.56- to 6.6-second range. That gives him a 70 for his speed on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, or close to the top of the scale. Moncada reportedly looked better at third and second than he did at shortstop, with enough arm from any infield position. He swung the bat well from both sides of the plate, showing plus raw power both ways. The only negative was that Moncada didn’t face live pitching, hitting only off of a BP pitcher. When asked to grade out his tools based on this workout, in combination with previous reports, one scout gave the following grades:Hit — 60Power — 60Speed — 70Arm — 60Field — 50"

Those numbers show that Moncada could very likely develop into a superstar here in the States. If his predecessors are any indication, including former teammate and 2014 AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu, it’s a surefire lock.

Unlike his predecessors, however, he did not have to go through the process of defecting late in the night. Rather, he was granted permission by the Cuban government and given a visa and passport. He established a permanent residency in Guatemala and held his aforementioned prospect showcase this past November.

Moncada likely would not have been ready to play until next season, but his talent and potential at second base would have been a welcome addition to a Yankees addition in need of a youthful resurgence. Shortstop Didi Gregorious is the only projected opening-day starter below the age of 30.

Moncada would have been the perfect cornerstone player to reconstruct another dynasty around, but it was apparently not in the cards for both sides to come to an agreement. Hopefully, the Yankees’ failure to sign him will not come back to rear its ugly head, but for now, the team and its fans have to walk away from this feeling like they’ve been beaten by the Red Sox—again.

Next: Dodgers Optimistic About Trio of Pitchers

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