Dodgers sign Cuban Puig

[love_that_reefer]

The Dodgers have a history of signing and developing impact players from Latin America, but their once-impressive methods of acquiring talent faded under the ownership of Frank McCourt. Now they appear to be back at it. The Dodgers have agreed to sign 21-year-old outfielder Yasel Puig to a multiyear deal worth more than $40MM, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports.

The Dodgers, now under the ownership of Guggenheim Sports Management, had publicly stated their intention to bid aggressively on the best available Latin American players. Puig, a 6'3" outfielder from Cuba, fits the description. He agrees to terms two days after being granted free agency and four days before baseball's collective bargaining agreement imposes spending restrictions on teams. Starting July 2, teams will work with a $2.9MM annual budget for international prospects.

Agent Jaime Torres represents Puig, who appears to be in line for a record contract. The outfielder has two seasons of experience in Cuba’s Serie Nacional. He’s more polished than Jorge Soler of the Cubs but less seasoned than Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics, according to Sanchez. The Cubs and White Sox both appear to have expressed interest in signing Puig.

Reports on Puig have been modest, Ben Badler of Baseball America reported this week. Teams are working off of limited information, as most scouts haven't seen much of the prospect since last summer.

Looks like the Dodgers might have made a good splash in the international market.

[Kingdom]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN
Huge disparity of opinion around the game on LAD's $42m signing of Yasiel Puig. One team told me they pegged him as a $500,000 player.

[Kingdom]

..probably the Pirates.

[realmofotalk]

Taking into account that they spent a league-worst $490,000 on international signings over 2010 and 2011 combined, I don't mind overcompensating a bit to get the last worthwhile free agent before the $2.9 million international salary cap kicks in.

[Porter]

i give mofo until Puig is in the majors to change his thought process.

[GiantsFanatic]

I'm sure someone with a name like Puig all it took was for LaSorda to show him around the buffets and it was done deal.

[HollywoodLeo]

Pablo Sandoval gif in 3..2..1..

[Kingdom]

Better do a 10 count.

[realmofotalk]

[Kingdom]

Delivered.

[realmofotalk]

Jim Caple ‏@jimcaple

Hostess to go out of business. Bad news: No more Twinkies. Good news: Pablo Sandoval may lose 40 pounds this winter

AaronChapman ‏@aaronPchapman

@jimcaple not if his "girlfriends" name is Little Debbie.

I LOL'd.

[realmofotalk]

Dylan Hernandez ‏@dylanohernandez

Yasiel Puig just hit his second HR of the spring, a missile to right-center.

Yasiel Puig lined a ball hard to RF -- so hard that he was almost thrown out at first base.

Another hit for Yasiel Puig. Nearly decapitated the pitcher.

Kemp on Puig: "He's going to be in the big leagues this year ... I think he's way stronger than me."

Can't wait for him to be called up so I can say our Cuban is better than your Cuban.

[DirtyKash]

Yeah, but... CARL CRAWFORD!

[Mach]

I keep reading this as Cuban Pig and thinking of that Cespedes video.

[Foster]

Cuban Pig....Bay of Pigs....I think you see where this is going.

Last I saw they'll start him in AAA, and than bring him up later in the year.