One of the most underrated portions of the MLB offseason is the late window of international free agent signings that takes place from October to December.
The Chicago Cubs have signed four prospects during this time period as reported by Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation.
These players don’t get the same attention as others during the offseason since many of these prospects are relatively unknown.
However, many of the players signed during this period have become stars at the Major League level as they get inside minor league pipelines and develop their skills.
The signing period for these international free agents ends on Dec. 15 and the Cubs were able to get four new players into their minor league ranks before then.
“Odds are good that these four prospects will make their organizational debuts in the 2024 Dominican Summer League after working at the Cubs’ training facility there next year,” Taylor writes.
It’s hard to project what these players will become going forward as there’s not a lot known about them at this point in time.
Many of the late-signing players out of the 2023 pool are viewed as those who don’t have supposed deals already in place. Many are older and are seen as developmental players who can flourish later in their careers after getting inside an MLB organization.
Whether any of these players the Cubs signed will turn into Major League players is unknown, but they still were able to get a crop of young prospects into their pipeline, which is never a bad thing.
The 2024 international free agent signing period opens on Jan. 15 with Chicago already interested in one of the top prospects in that class, Fernando Cruz.
Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports.
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