Cuban outfielder Soler a free agent
Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler finally became a free agent.
Soler, 20, has had similar problems that Oakland A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and other Cuban players have faced in the past in becoming free agents, but CBS Sports reported Saturday that Soler can now take on major league suitors.
Cespedes, a fellow Cuban defector, had to become a citizen of a different country (in his case, the Dominican Republic) and then had to be unblocked by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. A similar process is likely in place with Soler.
Soler is believed to be a 6-foot-3, 205-pound right fielder who already may be being pursued by the Chicago Cubs. The Toronto Blue Jays have also reportedly worked him out.
Several other teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, among others, are also reportedly interested in him.
Baseball America reported that Soler can also play center field and is talented enough to have been a top five pick in last year's draft. Baseball Prospectus listed Soler as potentially the 39th-ranked prospect in baseball during the preseason if he had been signed at the time.
Soler likely will be signed by a team before July 2 when collective bargaining agreement rules place new restrictions on signing international players.
