Major League Baseball reportedly made its decision Friday on the Boston Red Sox’s penalties for international signings.
The Red Sox were banned from signing international players for one year and had five prospects’ contracts voided, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan, who cited a source, and ESPN’s Buster Olney.
The five voided contracts belonged to outfielders Albert Guaimaro and Simon Muzziotti, infielders Antonio Pinero and Eduardo Torrealba, and right-handed pitcher Cesar Gonzalez. All five players now are free agents and can sign with any team.
These penalties come as a result of the Red Sox exceeding their $300,000 maximum for international players, which was set after they signed Yoan Moncada to a $62 million contract the previous year.
Passan further explained what happened in a series of tweets.
Boston was limited to a $300,000 per-player max because it had exceeded spending limits. It still wanted to sign top prospects, though.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 1, 2016
So, in the case of Albert Guaimaro, Boston paid $300K … and also paid $300K and $200K for two lesser prospected repped by the same agent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 1, 2016
The agent then redistributed the money, with most of it going to Guaimaro and the other players getting an opportunity with the Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 1, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports Images
