According to sources, Adeinis Hechavarria is free to negotiate with major league teams.
The 21-year-old Cuban shortstop, who defected in Mexico last year, was informed yesterday by MLB that he was “unblocked.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, asked about Hechavarria, said, “I wouldn’t comment on it.”
The Yankees are considered the favorites to sign Hechavarria because he might command the same $8 million the Red Sox gave fellow Cuban defector Jose Iglesias, who isn’t considered the hitter that Hechavarria is. The Yankees also have spent a lot of time working out Hechavarria in the Dominican Republic.
Bart Hernandez, Hechavarria’s agent, was asked if things had changed since his client’s status was upgraded.
“The same amount of clubs are interested,” Hernandez said. “Now we start the signing process. We anticipate it heating up. We want to get this guy into a camp.”
Other organizations view Hechavarria as a possible center fielder, but the Yankees believe he has the ability to play shortstop.