Report: Astros, Cardinals among teams interested in Cuban phenom Robert

With major-league teams eagerly awaiting Japanese pitcher/hitter Shohei Otani's arrival, it appears another international prospect will be available much sooner.

Luis Robert, a 19-year-old outfielder from Cuba who's widely regarded as the second-best international prospect behind Otani, was declared a free agent by MLB on Thursday, a source told Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. He will be eligible to sign with a major-league club on May 20.

The 6-foot-3 prospect, who hit an impressive .401/.526/.687 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in the 2016 Cuban National Series, is already attracting several suitors.

The Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds are among the teams with strong interest in Robert, Sanchez notes.

"You look at the investment we made this offseason in the international market and, clearly, this (Robert) is something we have to give real thought to," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said, according to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Dispatch.

"Very talented player. He can do it all."

Only a certain number of clubs will be able to give Robert a lucrative contract before the international signing period closes on June 15. With Robert set to be available on May 20, it leaves interested teams with less than a month to get a deal worked out, as the signing period will restart on July 2, when teams will be able to spend at least $4.75 million on players.

From now until July 2, several clubs won't be able to spend more than $300,000. Robert is expected to command a multi-year, multi-million deal and should sign before then.