If you haven’t heard of 19 year-old Cuban IF prospect Yoan Moncada in the past few months, you’ve probably been off the grid. He’s already playing at Cuba’s highest professional level and is described as a true five-tool player, with the ability to develop into a Robinson Cano-like player. Moncada has been one of the most talked about foreign prospects in recent memory, and was expected to command millions, despite a team having to pay a 100% tax on whatever deal they signed him to.
Moncada cashed in Monday, signing with the Boston Red Sox for $31.5 million, meaning that it will cost the Sox a total of $63 million for his services. However, I find this signing a little curious for the Red Sox. Moncada’s natural position is second base, while he is also said to have the ability to man third base and play in the outfield. Yet, the Red Sox are deep in all of these positions, having 2B Dustin Pedroia signed through 2021 and 3B Pablo Sandoval signed through 2019. The team currently has 5-6 major league-ready outfielders, and is rumored to be looking to trade one or two of them. It seems like Moncada’s playing time would be limited.
This morning, I read a report from Ken Rosenthal that said Moncada may need 1-2 years in the minor leagues before playing in the Majors. I just can’t buy into that. Boston is paying a total of $62 million for this player, and I’d definitely expect to see him in Boston by the end of this summer. Moncada may need a little time to get adjusted in the minor leagues, but some scouts were saying that they could have seen him starting a major league game today. That leads me to believe that the Red Sox are expecting a future trade, perhaps for Phillies’ P Cole Hamels. Such a trade could purge the Sox of some of their depth, which would make signing Moncada much more sensible.
It has been rumored that the Phillies are interested in Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts, OF Jackie Bradley, Jr., 2B/OF Mookie Betts, and prospects C Blake Swihart and P Henry Owens. I believe it would take three of those five prospects to make a deal happen, and that could possibly open up a hole in the outfield for Moncada to see some time in the outfield come August or September. Ultimately, I believe 3B Pablo Sandoval will move over to first base in the coming years, allowing Moncada to find a permanent home at third base.
Either way, this signing signals that the Red Sox aren’t messing around, and are gearing up for a World Series run in 2015.
