Cubs expected to add potential star in upcoming international signing period
When major league baseball comes back, so will the Cubs' predicament.
President Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and the rest of the front office will get back to trying to keep as many current star players as possible while continuing to focus on adding needed young talent for the future.
On that end, the challenge is going to be tougher than usual - for the Cubs and the other 29 teams in major league baseball.
The coronavirus pandemic has left the June amateur draft in limbo, and the international signing period is in similar straits.
As it stands now, major league teams can still sign international players starting July 2.
Depending on how much longer baseball is shut down, that date could be pushed back six months.
Either way, the Cubs are expected to sign one of the top international players in this year's group - Cristian Hernandez from the Dominican Republic.
Baseball America has the 16-year-old shortstop joining the Cubs for a signing bonus in the $3.5 million range.
"Hernandez has a case to make as the top overall player in the 2020 international class," Baseball America wrote. "He has an outstanding, high-level swing, with fast bat speed and a barrel that stays on plane through the hitting zone for a long time.
"He has performed well in games and drives the ball with impact, giving him a chance for plus or better raw power, especially once he fills out his projectable build. Hernandez's bat is what generates the most attention, but he's also a good athlete and a plus runner."
The Cubs have signed some big-time international talent in recent years, starting with catcher Willson Contreras in 2009.
In 2012, the Cubs signed outfielder Jorge Soler, and they hit on shortstop Gleyber Torres and outfielder Eloy Jimenez the following year.
Soler, who led the American League with 48 home runs last season, was traded to the Royals for closer Wade Davis.
Torres, traded to the Yankees for closer Aroldis Chapman, has been a all-star in each of his first two seasons with New York.
Jimenez, sent to the White Sox in the Jose Quintana deal, hit 31 homers in 122 games as a rookie in 2019.