The Blue Jays announced today that they've signed Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to a four-year, $10MM contract. The official tweet came nearly a full month since news of the agreement broke. The Blue Jays were heavily involved in Cuban free agents this winter, as they were also in the mix for Aroldis Chapman, Leslie Anderson, and Jose Julio Ruiz. The Angels, Cubs, and Yankees were competitors for Hechavarria.
Hechavarria will receive a $4MM signing bonus, $500K in 2010, $2MM in 2011, and $1.75MM in 2012, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter).
ESPN's Mark Saxon introduced us to the 19-year-old Hechavarria back in February. Cuban Ball Players provided video. Jorge Ebro at the Nuevo Herald gave more details a few weeks ago. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has brought in a nice haul of young talent in his six months on the job; check out our offseason in review piece for more details.
Finally sorted out, gives us a lot of depth now at SS in the minors with Jackson/Pastornicky/Pierre so I guess we switch our focus to 3B and the OF again.
Toronto is moving in the right direction. Really infusing their minor league system and their big league club isn’t doing too bad either. If they trade one of their relievers for prospects, they should be ready to build with the group they have going forward.
Is he 19 or 21?
local papers say he is 21
I guess the Jays finally got their SS. I recall reading one scout saying this guy was better then Jose Iglesias with the bat AND the glove. Luckily, we’ll have many chances to see these two go head to head in the coming years..
Anyone know if it was a minor league or a major league contract? I see him on the 40 man roster today.