White Sox reportedly land young Cuban star Luis Robert
Around this time a year ago, the Chicago White Sox were fading fast in the AL Central, so they fell back on a familiar fix.
They traded two young players, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and starting pitcher Erik Johnson, to the San Diego Padres for veteran starting pitcher James Shields.
Once again, the strategy failed.
While Tatis rose to No. 6 on the Padres' top prospects list, Shields flamed out and the Sox finished with a losing record for the fourth straight year.
Much has changed over the last 12 months.
Trading veteran relief pitcher Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for Triple-A center fielder Charlie Tilson on July 31 was the first step of a needed rebuild.
General manager Rick Hahn stressed the importance of stockpiling quality young talent acquired in trades, he stressed the importance of a strong draft, and he also stressed the importance of signing international players.
Headed by second baseman Yoan Moncada and starting pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech, Hahn acquired seven prospects in December trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.
That bolstered a promising 2016 draft, which featured first-round picks Zack Collins (catcher) and Zack Burdi (closer).
On Saturday, Hahn delivered on the international front.
While there will be no confirmation until a physical exam is passed and the contract is signed, Cuban outfielder Luis Robert is joining the White Sox, according to multiple reports.
MLB.com reported the Sox and Robert agreed on a signing bonus in the range of $26 million-$27 million.
Considered the second best international prospect behind Japan's Shohei Ohtani, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Robert played in Serie Nacional, Cuba's top league.
Moncada and White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu also played in Serie Nacional.
According to Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Abreu, Moncada and manager Rick Renteria were featured in a Spanish video presentation that helped the Sox beat out the St. Louis Cardinals for Robert's services.
The 21-year-old Moncada and Robert competed against each other in Serie Nacional, but a source said the two “are not close friends.”
That is likely to change down the road, with Moncada expected to arrive with the White Sox from Class AAA Charlotte later this season and Robert potentially in 2019.
When he does sign with the Sox, Robert is expected begin at low Class A Kannapolis or high A Winston-Salem.
According to Baseball America, Robert left Cuba in November and relocated to the Dominican Republic. Hahn and White Sox vice president Kenny Williams reportedly traveled to the Dominican earlier this month and watched Robert in a private workout.
Before leaving Cuba, Robert posted a .401/.526/.687 hitting line with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 232 plate appearances in Serie Nacional.
Hahn was asked about Robert on the Sox's last homestand.
“I've seen the publications that have had us in the mix and certainly understand why people would believe we'd be in the mix given how nicely he could conceivably fit with not only what we're trying to do in a rebuild but our history with similar such players,” Hahn said.
“He's an extremely talented young man who is going to have an impact on whatever organization he winds up joining, and given the fact the collective-bargaining agreement changes how these players are treated here, this is really the last opportunity for certain clubs to exercise strictly their financial might in order to receive such a talent.”
According to Baseball America, signing Robert is going to put the White Sox over their international bonus pool for the current 2016-17 signing period. They won't be able to sign any international amateur players for more than $300,000 for the next two signing periods beginning with the 2017-18 period that opens on July 2.
The Sox have had many Cuban players throughout the years, beginning with the late Minnie Minoso in 1951.
In recent years, Jose Contreras, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, Dayan Viciedo, Alexei Ramirez and Abreu have played for the White Sox.
•Twitter: @scotgregor