Report: Red Sox international signing punishment could be harsh

Major League Baseball appears ready to drop the hammer on the Boston Red Sox for overspending on the international market last year, and some harsh punishment could come down before the 2016 signing period opens Sunday, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.

Punishments reportedly being considered by the league include signing restrictions for the 2016-17 period, or even voiding the contracts of several international players signed by the team in 2015, making them free agents once again.

MLB has been investigating the Red Sox since May of this year for allegedly using "package deals" - overpaying players who are exempt from the bonus pools in order to pay less for others who are subject to the restrictions, then having the players split the money - to skirt international signing restrictions.

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Because they went over their allotted bonus pool during the 2014 international signing season, the Red Sox only had $300,000 to spend in the 2015 pool. Venezuelan prospects Albert Guaimaro, BA's No. 15 international prospect in 2015, and Simon Muzziotti, ranked No. 24 last year, both received $300,000 bonuses when they joined the Red Sox organization. They're both currently playing with the Red Sox Dominican Summer League affiliates.

If the Red Sox are punished with signing restrictions it will impact a number of young players who have reported verbal agreements with the club, including 16-year-old outfielder Roimer Bolivar, ranked No. 31 on Baseball America's top 50 international prospects list for 2016. Players such as Bolivar would then be barred from signing with the Red Sox.