The White Sox have taken another major step in boosting their farm system by adding Cuban outfielder Luis Robert.
The Sox reached a deal with the 19-year-old amateur free agent Saturday, the first day he was eligible to sign after months of waiting and working out for teams in showcases and private sessions. The club did not confirm the news Saturday afternoon.
Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported that the Sox would pay Robert a signing bonus of just more than $25 million, and the total cost to the Sox with overage taxes would be more than $45 million.
The Sox also won't be able to sign an international amateur player for over $300,000 for the next two years if they sign Robert, a penalty for going over their allotted pool.
On Thursday, Ben Badler of Baseball America reported the Sox and Cardinals are believed to be the most likely landing sports for Robert. Sox social media went crazy Saturday morning when an Instagram account believed to belong to Robert posted a photo of the player wearing a black Sox hat.
Scouting reports grade Robert, a right-handed hitter, high for speed and power. He played in Cuba's Serie Nacional with Ciego de Avila since he was 16 before leaving the country this winter.
The Sox have a long history with Cuban players, starting with Minnie Minoso and extending to Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada today.
Abreu said Friday through a Sox interpreter that he knows Robert is "a kid with a lot of talent."
"I've never met him, but I know he's a very good player," Abreu said. "I've seen some videos about him, and he looked great. And I would like the opportunity to play with him.
"I would like that. But that's his decision."
Abreu went through a similar process before signing with the Sox in 2013, though his contract was governed by different rules because he was older, and he knows how draining it can be.
"It was a long and hard process because I had to work hard every day with the showcases and meetings," Abreu said. "My agents tried to explain to me every detail of that process to figure out the best way to pick a team. It's a very hectic process."
