Are the Yankees in Pursuit of Yoan Moncada?

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @ChristineeeeO

Image Credit: yahoo.com

Late in the Hot Stove season, James Shields suddenly has some company. In fact, given the rules surrounding international signings, young Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada might wind up costing teams more than Shields, the veteran free-agent pitcher whose unemployment continues to confound the baseball industry.

On Tuesday, an industry source confirmed, Major League Baseball officially revitalized its rules for Cuban refugees, making the 19-year-old a free agent once he signed an affidavit affirming he won’t be returning to Cuba. 

The Yankees are among the clubs that already have worked out Moncada in the United States, at their complex in Tampa last month.

According to an American League team’s talent evaluator, who opined on the condition of anonymity, Moncada is “an exceptional talent,” a switch-hitter with power from both sides and all five tools.

A second evaluator from a different AL team noted Moncada’s “great body” — Baseball America lists him as 6-feet and 210 pounds — and athleticism.

There is debate over what his best position is. He has played second base primarily but also played some shortstop and center field last season in Cuba, the publication reported.

Naturally, the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are among the rumored teams to have interest in signing the player whose services could command up to $80 million.

Moncada would be the latest Cuban player to make an immediate impact at the big league level--the Dodgers' Yasiel Puig, Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman, and Yoenis Cespedes in Oakland and Boston have all had serious impacts upon arriving stateside. Moncada is allowed to sign as soon as he wants.