The Red Sox have signed Taiwanese shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. The shortstop obtains a $2.05MM bonus, according to Badler, who calls Lin one of the top international amateurs available in advance of the July 2 signing period.
The deal, which took shape earlier in the month, is now official. Lin, a left-handed hitter, has excellent speed and could hit .300, though he doesn't offer much power. He's an average fielder with an average arm, Badler writes. Lin's bonus won't count against Boston's $2.9MM spending cap for 2012-13 because the sides completed the deal before July 2. Lin's bonus establishes a new record for Taiwanese position players, Badler writes.
You can never have too many shortstops!……??
Eventually one will stick… Lol.
“He’s an average fielder with an average arm, Badler writes.”
This kind of surprises me; everything I’ve read about him prior to this has said that he is a plus-to-better defender with a plus arm, drawing comparisons to the Rays’ Hak-Ju Lee.
Linsanity in the MLB?
We already have Che-Hsuan.
I think ESPN in the near future might have a new favorite Lin
Looks like a nice utility infielder in the making.
He’ll have a lot in common with Iglesias then.
From the way things are looking your right.