The Cincinnati Reds on Thursday officially signed amateur Cuban infielder Jose Garcia for a $5 million bonus, and have submitted the deal to Major League Baseball for approval, according to a source. Because they are already over their international spending limit for the current signing period, the Reds will also pay a $5 million penalty to MLB.
The 19-year-old Garcia is the third Cuban amateur the Reds have signed this period, which ends June 15. He follows in the footsteps of shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez and right-handed pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez. On those three combined, the Reds have now spent $28.