The new international free agent signing period may not begin until July 2, but the Pirates are expected to make one of the biggest splashes in baseball when that day comes.
Baseball America expects the Pirates to sign 16-year-old left-handed outfielder Shalin Polanco to a contract with a $2.5 million signing bonus.
This report comes from Ben Badler, who projects Polanco to be the second most expensive outfielder signed next year.
Ben Cherington was not afraid to sign international players to large signing bonuses when he was in Boston.