I will admit that I have had issues with the Mets lack of interest in the Cuban market.
And initially with all the hype of Yoan Moncada and his path to becoming a free agent, my thoughts didn’t change.However, this kid while displaying the tools is going to potentially cost a $30 million contract and on top of that a 100 percent tax to the team. For all you math challenged folks that’s $60 million for a player with not a lot of real elevated playing experience. Essentially a $60 million prospect.
A few years ago the Mets spent their first round draft pick on Gavin Cechinni. And while I have read about some potential character flaws he appears to be progressing through the system as he should. Then you have Amed Rosario who according to Keith Law (espn.com 2.1 via MetsBlog) has crazy potential based on his tools and he was signed a year ago for $2 million.
My point is, Cechinni and Rosario can only be viewed as prospects at this point as they are unproven but Moncanda really can’t be viewed as much else. The other Cuban players that have been signed in recent years all had several years of experience in their respective leagues and were in their mid twenties so those gambles would have made more sense but $60 million is a huge risk.
I just wish the Mets would have take a gamble on one of the others.
