The Blue Jays might not want to spend money recklessly, but they sure don’t mind gambling.
Tuesday they bet big on a pair of Venezuelan teenagers, lavishing a combined $3.5 million in signing bonuses on pitcher Adonis Cardona and third baseman Gabriel Cenas, both 16.
During a conference call to discuss the signings general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed publish reports that Cardona, a hotly recruited prospect that rumours had linked with the Jays since last October, will receive $2.8 million to sign. Cenas, meanwhile signed for $700,000 (all figures U.S.)
Is that a lot of money to spend on a pair of prospects who are barely old enough to drive?
Of course it is, but Anthopoulos says the potential payoff justifies the gamble.
“Anytime you’re dealing with a 16-year-old there’s an element of risk,” Anthopoulos said. “In a lot of ways it’s like buying a stock. If you want to buy a stock when it’s already established you’re probably going to have a hard time doing so, but if you can do it early enough and you decide the cost makes sense and there’s a significant upside... that’s something we look at.”
The signings also send a clear message to the rest of Major League Baseball that the Jays are again big players on the international free agent scene, committed to finding talented players and ready to write fat cheques to acquire them.
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