After a flurry of news reports that came out last night it looked as if the Chicago Cubs had agreed to terms with Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler on a multi-year deal. However, those reports have been deemed false.
ESPN New York is now saying that the Cubs are not close to signing Soler, and that the New York Yankees have thrown their hat into the ring.
Soler is a younger version of Yoenis Cespedes, who signed with the Athletics this week for four years and $36 million, Cespedes being 26 and Soler 19. He projects to be a five-tool player, but does not expect to be anywhere near ready to play in the majors.
The contract that the Cubs were reportedly offering was worth $27.5 million over three to four years, but Soler is looking for a long-term deal, one that is more than the four years that Cespedes got.
With the Cubs and Yankees being the only major players for the Cuban free agent at this time, it will come down to a bidding war if both teams are willing to give a long-term contract.
The Yankees are always willing to put some money down and take a risk if there's a chance to come up big. But with the Cubs being in rebuilding mode and trying to invest for the future, this would be a great move for them. Don't expect Theo Epsetin and Jed Hoyer to back down.
Soler is expected to be cleared by the MLB and officially become a free agent this week. He will be ready for Spring Training, but will be in the Yankees minor league system for a few years if New York outbids Chicago and signs the 19 year old.
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