Marlins CEO Derek Jeter and president of baseball operations Mike Hill announced the signings of the Mesa brothers, top international free-agent outfielders from Cuba. The Mesas were declared free agents by Major League Baseball, and the Marlins were widely viewed as front-runners to sign them.
.@Marlins CEO Derek Jeter explains how the franchise will have a renewed effort in MLB's international market going forward, and that the signing of Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr. is just the beginning. #JustGettinStarted pic.twitter.com/76KmOwI5JF
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) October 22, 2018
According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, Victor Victor, 22, will receive about $5.25 million, and his 17-year-old brother agreed to $1 million.
Sources: @Marlins expected to announce the signing of Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr. in a press conference on Monday in Miami. Victor Victor is expected to sign for more than $5 million and Victor Jr. expected to sign for a bonus near $1 million. pic.twitter.com/C4msvEm6vI
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) October 20, 2018
Victor Victor is ranked No. 1 on the international prospects list by MLB Pipeline.
“From day one, we stressed as an organization the importance of building this organization with depth throughout our Minor League system and the need to invest in the international market,” Jeter said. “Today, we have done just that. We have had the opportunity to sign two of the top prospects in the international class.
Signing the Mesa brothers is the Marlins’ biggest international free-agent splash since securing the services of Miguel Cabrera as a 16-year-old from Venezuela in 1999.
Jeter making money moves. ¡Viva la Marlins!
