Report: Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada could become free agent within 2 weeks

Star Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada could be free to sign with the major league team of his choosing before spring training arrives. 

Moncada no longer needs a specific unblocking license to play in the United States, which should expedite the process of him signing with a Major League team, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. 

Thanks to recent changes made by the Obama administration, Cubans who can prove permanent residence in a third country are eligible to receive a general unblocking license and avoid going through the Office of Foreign Asset Controls for a specific license. Moncada left Cuba last August and has permanent residency in Guatemala. 

From Passan: 

Any person who meets the requirements for a general unblocking license no longer will be issued a specific unblocking license, a Treasury Department official told Yahoo Sports, putting the onus on MLB to verify Moncada’s residency and allow teams to begin negotiating contracts with him. Moncada had been waiting for a specific license from OFAC since late September, sources said, the only holdup in an expected bidding war for his services.

MLB was drafting a letter to OFAC on Tuesday asking for a meeting in the near future to clarify the new regulations and potentially change league policy, which requires a specific unblocking license. Should a meeting take place soon, one league official estimated Moncada could be free to negotiate with teams within two weeks.

Passan notes that MLB won't immediately declare the 19-year-old a free agent based on past residency issues with Cuban players, which include bribes and false documentation. 

"If OFAC confirms that the process for unblocking Cuban players is no longer to apply for a specific license," the official said, "MLB will conform to the law."

MLB released the following statement to Yahoo: 

MLB has important questions regarding how the new regulations apply to the unique circumstances of Cuban players based on our significant experience in this area, and our discussions with OFAC in prior years. MLB is committed to following the laws of the United States, and will not change its policy requiring that Cuban Players receive a specific OFAC unblocking license until it confirms with all relevant branches of our government, including OFAC, that any new approach is consistent with the law. We hope to receive clarity on this issue as quickly as possible.

Moncada is expected to receive a potentially record-setting signing bonus. Cuban players who take up residency in third countries, such as star Yasiel Puig, can make significantly more money than North American amateurs. Cuban players who take up residency in the United States are subject to the annual amateur draft where signing bonuses are much lower. 

A switch-hitting second baseman, Passan reports Moncada could receive a $30-million bonus in addition to a lucrative, multi-year contract. 

The big-spending New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs remain the favorites to land Moncada, according to Passan. 

Passan also lists the Texas Rangers as another team with interest.