Edes On Sports Final: Moncada Could Be 'Very Special Talent' For Red Sox
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox made quite the splash last week, signing Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada.
The New York Yankees were favorites to land the latest export from the land of baseball, but Boston came swooping in at the last minute to acquire the 19-year-old phenom. Boston gave him a $31.5 million bonus, on top of an additional $31.5 million they now owe to Major League Baseball for exceeding spending limits on international amateurs.
But in the long-run, many believe Moncada will be worth it. He's the equivalent of a top pick in the draft (something Boston has never had the luxury of having), and may be in the majors sooner rather than later.
"Chances are he could come quickly," ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Sunday night's Sports Final. "You're talking about a guy who could be a generational player. You hesitate to put those kinds of labels on a guy, but he could be a very special talent."
Moncada was down at Fort Myers, Florida at the team's spring training complex last week to meet with the team and begin his physical, a process that was completed in Boston over the weekend. A formal introduction is expected to happen later this week when he rejoins the team in Fort Myers.
One big question remains with the prospect though -- where will he play? Edes says the Red Sox are in no rush to make that decision.
"That's a great question. The Red Sox' response is, 'Look, we're more concerned about acquiring the talent. We'll figure out where he'll play later.' The positions he is most suitable for – second base and third base – those appear to be locked up for a while by guys named [Dustin] Pedroia and [Pablo] Sandoval," said Edes. "He could end up being an outfielder. A lot can happen in the next couple of years, and the Red Sox will figure that out when it comes."
Edes also shares his thoughts on the future of Larry Lucchino and the year ahead for Clay Buchholz in the video above. Tune in to Sports Final and Sports Final OT every Sunday night on WBZ-TV at 11:35pm!