Sources: Bids due on Jorge Soler

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

The representatives for Jorge Soler have said the next round of bids for the Cuban free-agent outfielder needs to happen this weekend, according to sources.

Soler's agents Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro had given clubs a deadline of June 7 to submit sealed bids. It was not initially clear if the agents have narrowed the field for this next bidding process.

According to a baseball source, Praver has called teams to ask if their bids are final.

The Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers all have been aggressive in pursuit of the 19-year-old, sources say.

The Cubs have invested the most time in getting to know Soler, but the Dodgers might be a wild card because of the team's new ownership and commitment to the international market, according to sources.

Soler worked out for several major league teams on Wednesday, according to multiple sources.

Soler has until July 2 to sign a contract under the previous collective bargaining agreement. Under those rules, teams can bid any amount they wish for a foreign player. After that date, the new rules will prohibit bids of more than $2.9 million.

Industry sources indicate the bidding will go somewhere between $25 to 35 million for Soler. Fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespedes signed a $30 million contract with Oakland this winter.

"There are a lot of teams involved, which is not surprising," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said of Soler. "He is really talented and there is that July 2 (deadline) that adds to it."

Soler is a projected right fielder with five-tool potential, according to scouting sources.

Information from ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine was used in this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe

Buster Olney | email

Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine

• Archive

• Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com
• Analyst/reporter ESPN television
• Author of "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty"