MINNEAPOLIS — In July 2009, the Yankees gave 16-year-old catcher Gary Sanchez $3 million to sign. Not until Wednesday had the club given a Latin American teenager that much money.
That’s when they agreed with Dermis Garcia, a 16-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic, on a $3.2 million signing bonus. Garcia was rated as the top international prospect by MLB.com and ninth by Baseball America.
The Garcia deal was one of several the Yankees made that easily pushed them past their allotted $2.193 million for the signing period and will result in them being penalized. For the 10 players who agreed Wednesday, the Yankees doled out close to $14 million, which could swell to a cost of around $30 million due to penalties that also would limit how much they can spend in future July signing periods.
According to a Latin America talent evaluator who has seen Garcia often, it’s not out of the question he eventually will move to third base or possibly first.
“He has a nice swing and some power,’’ the scout said of the 6-foot-2 190-pounder. “I don’t think he stays at short, could be a corner player.’’
According to reports, the Yankees gave $2.25 million to Dominican third baseman Nelson Gomez. He was atop Baseball America’s list and second on MLB’s. Also, Dominican outfielder Juan DeLeon received $2 million and Venezuelan outfielder Jonathan Amundaray got $1.5 million.
“We have high hopes with this class as we do with every class,’’ GM Brian Cashman said.