The New York Yankees have signed 19-year-old Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez to a minor league contract which includes a bonus thought to be in the $4-5 million range, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported on Wednesday.
Rodriguez, a lefty, will not be immediately added to the Yankee's 40-man roster, but the money New York spent signals how much they value him as a prospect. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals were also reported to have interest.
Rodriguez made a name for himself during the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship when he ousted the United States in the tournament quarterfinals with a complete game, eight-strikeout, 144-pitch performance. Cuba earned a bronze medal and Rodriguez was named to the all-tournament team.
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