By TC Zencka | June 15, 2019 at 11:29am CDT
Below we'll track some of today's signings from around the league…
The Twins have signed Cuban right-hander Yennier Cano with a signing bonus of $750K, per Francys Romero of Las Mayores (via Twitter). MLB.com's Dan Hayes adds that the Twins do not figure Cano into their immediate plans, despite being slightly older for a development project at 25-years-old. Solid numbers in Cuba make him a worthwhile flyer, but low K-rates may give pause to his viability as a major league contributor. Cano slotted in at #2 on MLB.com's 2018 list of top international prospects, which mark his top pitch as a 70-grade heater. "The right-hander has shown a fastball that hovers in the 94-96 mph range with some sink. He also features an above average slider, split fastball and changeup, a pitch he did not throw often in Cuba. He also throws an average curve." Cano has been a reliever in Cuba and figures to target a similar role with the Twins.
The Rays signed Cuban outfielder Patrick Merino, per Romero (via Twitter). He receives $375K as a signing bonus. Romero played some catcher in Cuba, but he has a thick frame that suggests a future elsewhere. He has more than enough speed to cover ground in the outfield, and his arm should play in right if that's where he eventually lands. Merino had been tied to a number of clubs, both Chicago clubs among them, though it's hard to know the level of interest any of those clubs had in signing Merino.
Minnesota Twins Patrick Merino Tampa Bay Rays Yennier Cano
Angels Designate Cody Allen For Assignment
Adam Jones Opens Up About Invoking 10-And-5 Rights
It should be noted that today (June 15th) is the final day for MLB teams to lock up eligible international players in the current signing period. The new period will begin on July 2nd.
The Twins deal with Cuban right-hander Yennier Cano now leaves only fellow countryman Yolbert Sanchez (#5) still unsigned on the top-30 list of international prospects for the current period. Sanchez is rumored to have a $2M deal on the table with a team who has a $300k limit in the current signing period but no such restrictions in the next one. Some reports suggest the White Sox might be that team.
Deep dive!
lowtalker1
Well, if you got the international money might as well spend it since the signing period is just about over.
phenomenalajs
I know the Mets just got $500K last month from the Orioles for Broxton, so they probably wouldn't be the ones with the $300K limit unless that either wasn't including the funds from the Orioles or they used some international funds since that trade. I'm almost positive that $500K was for the current international spending year.
kahnkobra
300k limit is for violations, so even if the team has $2 million in intl money they can't spend more than $300k. I believe Atlanta is one of the teams punished for their former GM's sins
Quality through quantity as Branch Ricky used to say!
By the way, who names their child Branch? Was it a nickname?
bobtillman
Dunno, but they nicknamed his son Twig……..hey, coulda called him "Root"…..
All part of the family tree. I wonder if there are any Leif's in the picture?
Double LOL!