The New York Yankees were outbid in their pursuit of 20-year-old Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, who signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs Monday reportedly worth $30 million over nine years.
Soler is expected to take a couple years before making big leagues. he's only 20. so NINE-yr deal makes sense. $30M total
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) June 11, 2012
Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the deal.
Jon Heyman reports that three or four other teams besides the Cubs submitted bids of more than $20 million, but it's unclear whether the Yankees were one of those teams.
Scouts believe Soler might be a long way from the Major Leagues as of now, but he projects as a stellar outfielder with a big arm, good defense, a solid batting average and all kinds of power.
For more on the New York Yankees, be sure to check out Pinstripe Alley and join the discussion.