Today was International Signing Day, the first day of the 2026 cycle for free agent signings. Because most of these players have come to an informal and non-binding agreement with teams long before today, almost all of the major signings will be formalized today. The Cubs are talking a different approach to free agency this […]
Today was International Signing Day, the first day of the 2026 cycle for free agent signings. Because most of these players have come to an informal and non-binding agreement with teams long before today, almost all of the major signings will be formalized today.
The Cubs are talking a different approach to free agency this year than in the past. The Cubs are spreading their allotted international pool money ($6,679,200) around to more second-tier prospects than spending a big chunk of it on one big name and then just one or two in the next tier. Whether this is a change in philosophy because of the disappointments surrounding other big-name signings (Cristian Hernández, Adan Sanchez, Ronnier Quintero) or just a reaction to this year’s international prospects, I couldn’t tell you.
A quick reminder that most of the players signed today are 16, which is the youngest age that a international free agen
But the Cubs did sign several players worth mentioning. These are the top Cubs signings per Baseball America. Their bonus numbers are in parenthesis.
- Yadier Muñoz, SS, Dominican Republic ($1.2 million)
- Jaims Martinez, SS, Cuba ($900,000)
- Yanfri Serrano, OF, Dominican Republic ($800,000)
- Eduardo Gonzalez, SS, Venezuela ($800,000)
- Johan Geraldo, SS, Dominican Republic ($600,000)
- Franyel Almanzar, SS, Dominican Republic ($600,000)
- Xavier Cadiz, SS/CF, Venezuela
- Luis Tomas, SS, Dominican Republic
Muñoz is small at just 5’10”, 160 lbs., but he’s praised for his overall all-around game and his baseball intelligence. He’s praised for his contact skills at the plate and his gap-to-gap approach. His size probably lmits his power upside.
Martinez is a bit older. I think he’s 17, but he may have turned 18 already. He left Cuba in 2024, but wasn’t cleared to sign with an MLB club until now. He’s also on the small side (5’10”, 150) and is a switch hitter with solid contact skills. He’s also considered a good glove with plus speed.
Serrano is a big (6’2”, 180) left-handed power hitter. He may not be done growing, and he certainly could add some muscle. He plays center field now, but he almost certainly will have to move to a corner eventually.
Gonzalez has good size (6’0”, 185) and is considered a glove-first shortstop, although he does hit left-handed and has good contact skills.
Geraldo made Baseball America’s list of 12 breakout prospects (sub. req.) and scouts are rapidly revising their evaluations of him upwards. He’s only 6’0”, 170, but he already is putting up terrific bat speed and exit velocity numbers. Scouts think he still has room to add more muscle.
Almanzar is a 5’10”, 160 shortstop without a ton of room to grow. But he’s a switch-hitter who makes exceptional contact and rarely gets fooled at the plate.
Baseball America calls Cadiz an “intriguing left-handed bat and high-level game acumen.“
Tomas is yet another switch-hitter with good speed and a good glove.
The international market is a key to developing a winning team these days, but it’s also the most frustrating one from the point of view of fans. Most of these players are 16- or 17-years old and will spend all of this year on the back fields of the Cubs’ Academy in the Dominican Republic. Some will play in the Dominican Summer League this year, but most won’t make their official pro debut until 2027 in the DSL. Most of them won’t even see the United States until 2028 and it would be a surprise if any of them made the majors before 2031 or 2032. Since we all know those aren’t real years, they may never make the majors. But seriously, one of these players could make their major league debut in 2032 and still only be 23 years old.
Category: General Sports
