Today was International Signing Day, the first day of the 2026 cycle for free agent signings. Because most of these players reached informal, non-binding agreements with teams long before today, almost all major signings will be formalized today.
The Cubs are talking about a different approach to free agency this year than in the past. The Cubs are spreading their international allocation money ($6,679,200) among more second-tier prospects rather than spending a big chunk on a big name and then just one or two at the next level. Whether this is a change in philosophy due to the disappointments surrounding other big-name signings (Cristian Hernández, Adán Sánchez, Ronnier Quintero) or simply a reaction to this year’s international prospects, I couldn’t say.
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A quick reminder that most of the players signed today are 16 years old, which is the youngest age for an international free agent.
But the Cubs signed several players worth mentioning. These are the main signings of the Cubs for Baseball America. Their bonus numbers are in parentheses.
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Yadier Muñoz, SS, Dominican Republic ($1.2 million)
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Jaims Martínez, SS, Cuba ($900,000)
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Yanfri Serrano, OF, Dominican Republic ($800,000)
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Eduardo González, SS, Venezuela ($800,000)
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Johan Geraldo, SS, Dominican Republic ($600,000)
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Franyel Almanzar, SS, Dominican Republic ($600,000)
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Xavier Cádiz, SS/CF, Venezuela
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Luis Tomás, SS, Dominican Republic
Muñoz is small, standing just 5’10”, and weighing 160 pounds, but he is praised for his overall game and baseball intelligence. He is praised for his contact skills at the plate and his gap-to-gap approach. His size likely limits his positive power.
Martínez is a little older. I think he’s 17, but he may have already turned 18. He left Cuba in 2024, but until now he was not cleared to sign with an MLB club. He is also small (5’10”, 150) and is a switch hitter with solid contact skills. He is also considered a good glove player with plus speed.
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Serrano is a big left-handed power hitter (6’2″, 180). He may not be done growing yet, and he could certainly add some muscle. He plays center field now, but will almost certainly eventually have to move to a corner.
González has good size (6’0″, 185) and is considered a glove-first shortstop, although he does hit left-handed and has good contact skills.
Geraldo did American baseball list of 12 top prospects (sub. req.) and scouts are quickly revising their evaluations upward. He’s only 6’0″, 170, but he’s already putting up excellent bat speed and exit velocity numbers. Scouts believe he still has room to add more muscle.
Almanzar is a 5’10”, 160 shortstop without much room to grow, but he is a switch hitter who makes exceptional contact and rarely gets fooled at the plate.
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Baseball America calls Cadiz an “intriguing left-handed bat and an acumen for high-level play.”
Tomás is another switch hitter with good speed and a good glove.
The international market is key to developing a winning team nowadays, but it is also the most frustrating from the fans’ point of view. Most of these players are 16 or 17 years old and will spend this entire year on the back fields of the Cubs Academy in the Dominican Republic. Some will play in the Dominican Summer League this year, but most won’t make their official professional debut until 2027 in the DSL. Most of them won’t even see the United States until 2028 and it would be a surprise if any of them make it to the majors before 2031 or 2032. Since we all know those aren’t real years, they may never make it to the majors. But seriously, one of these players could debut in the Major Leagues in 2032 and be only 23 years old.