TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees, Red Sox and Padres are perceived by some executives as the favorites to sign Cuban wunderkind infielder Yoan Moncada, with the Dodgers "lurking," and the Brewers and others possibly still in the picture as the well-watched derby heads toward a conclusion.
Two executives agreed that the leading trio may well be baseball powerhouses New York and Boston and upstart San Diego. But that is seen as mostly speculation, as it isn't coming from the Moncada camp, which only has said they'd like to have a deal somewhere by the end of February.
The Yankees are said to "love Moncada," not a surprise since they've had three private workouts with him, according to the New York Post. A Yankees person said he heard the Red Sox are "all over" Moncada, to which a Red Sox person responded by citing stories recounting the Yankees' recent reported workouts, which involved even ownership.
The Dodgers are interested, but some wonder if they may be even more interested in veteran infielder Hector Olivera or perhaps even flame-throwing kid pitcher Yadier Alvarez.
The Brewers were mentioned here a few days ago in connection to Moncada, and indeed they were one of about a dozen teams to stage a workout for Moncada. Nothing has been said on this matter by Milwaukee's people, but some wonder about the viability of such a small-market team beating the titans here.
The Padres are a small-market teams, too, but they are in the process of changing that perception in a winter where they signed an entire outfield of sluggers and added ace James Shields. Said one executive whose team is in play for Moncada, "I don't know where they're getting the money.”