The Braves were already expected to be a major player in this summer’s international free-agent signing season, but they could be in position to make an even bigger splash by signing Cuban outfield prospect Lazaro Armenteros, a 16-year-old who’s commonly known as “Lazarito.”
A person familiar with the situation confirmed reports that the Braves will hold a private workout Saturday at their Dominican Republic academy for Amenteros, who had been expected to sign with a major league team next week and could command a bonus of $20 million or more.
The Braves, who already spent their allotted international bonus-pool money for the current signing period, would have to pay a hefty penalty if they sign Armenteros before the new period starts July 2, including a two-year ban on future international free-agent signings of more than $300,000 and a 100-percent tax on the overages in the current period.
But if the Braves could convince Armenteros to wait to sign after the new period starts July 2, they could offer him any amount. The Braves already are expected to far exceed their signing-bonus allotment for the period that starts July 2, and some baseball insiders are convinced the Braves already have a handshake agreement in place to sign Venezuelan shortstop Kevin Maitan, the No. 1-rated prospect in that group that becomes available July 2. Maitan is described as an elite hitter and has even been compared to countryman Miguel Cabrera when Cabrera was that age.
Armenteros, declared a free agent after defecting from Cuba, is a raw talent with considerable offensive skills, though some have questioned whether he’s a potential star worthy of the price he’s likely to command. He’s already 6-feet-2 and a muscular 205 pounds, rated a top-10 international prospect, and some 150 scouts attended his showcase tryout last month in the Dominican Republic.
The big-spending Red Sox, Yankees, Angels and Diamodbacks, as well as the Rays, are currently not permitted to sign international free agents after surpassing their pool allotments from a year ago. But a few others – the moneyed Dodgers, Giants and Cubs – along with the Royals have already exceeded this year’s allotments, and since they will already face the ban when the next period begins July 2, they could choose spend freely right now without further penality, other than financial.
