AA breaking free agency rules?

[youngLion]

Link

A couple of online reports this week suggested the Blue Jays have already signed 16-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Adonis Cardona to a contract. But baseball's rules forbid teams from negotiating with international free agents before July 2.

According to one club's director of international scouting, several clubs are upset enough that they have taken their complaints to the commissioner's office.

"That's being talked about a lot in baseball, that's a no-no," he said. "I already know four or five teams that have already contacted Major League Baseball to ask about that."

[-MetA4-]

Everyone does this, especially the big teams (ie: Yankees).

[Hoopstarr]

Everyone does this, especially the big teams (ie: Yankees).

Yep, which is why their uproar over this is especially amusing.

[jalenrose#5]

haha this is jokes..this honestly isn't like they've signed an under the table contract..whats' the harm in talking to the kid

[j127]

Wait, I don't get it. Why are the other teams so pissed if there wasn't an actual contract that is signed?

Is AA breaking free agency rules if Cardona and the Jays had a talk, and Cardona just happens to like Toronto as a team and wants to play there and verbally commits?

Without any transfer of official contract money and without his signature on the dotted line of an official contract, is he technically and officially signed?

Maybe I'm totally wrong about this because I have little knowledge of free agency crap, but it just sounds like pure jealousy from other teams.

[EZ]

I wouldn't be too worried about this. I'm sure Beeston can smooth talk out of this...He's got a lot of cred within the League.