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This article from ESPN gives some more insight into the ugly underbelly of MLB’s international signings.
Finally official, (at least when St. Louis confirms it!)
Dominican RHP Leonil De León officially signed with the St. Louis Cardinals today. Bonus deal: $400,000.
De León impressed many teams starting in November in Miami. He reaches 93–96 mph with his fastball and shows significant upside.
He trained with Miami Miracles. pic.twitter.com/lXTaEZeDPn
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) April 8, 2026
Now official! (per transaction page)
04/09/26 – St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent RHP Leonil De Leon to a minor league contract.
This isn’t a signing, but I didn’t know where else to put this. Brian, have you heard anything about the Cardinals interest in trying to sign him?
2031 Class , for the son of The late Cardinal star Oscar Taveras @WexlerRules @ernestdove @JohnFromAlbany @Zeke99881237a @PSLToFlushing @Ben_Yoel @WardyNYM https://t.co/70Mgx7GD0V
— Mets Prospect Group (@bkfan09) May 4, 2026
Reading the comments, his middle name is Yadier. I hope the Cards would have a good shot to sign him.
Somewhere somebody knows his avg exit velo and barrel rate.
Exactly. Some college GM is already calculating the kid’s NIL value.
Not a signing yet, but a future Molina set to sign in a few years!
Baseball Digital Showcase (BDS), la principal plataforma de eventos de béisbol en República Dominicana 🔥
Jean Molina, prospecto de la clase 2029, llegó a un acuerdo con St. Louis por un bono de $1.2 millones, apenas 10 días después de participar en el Caribbean Elite Showcase… pic.twitter.com/DJrVRXkh9M
— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) May 17, 2026
I really don’t see how these “pre-agreement” agreements are legal. The whole international talent acquisition process is kind of slimy. There needs to be an international draft with age limits.
I’m not blaming the Cardinals because I am sure all teams do it but MLB and the MLBPA need to come up with a better system, assuming that either party even cares.
Here is a more update posting. I agree, something needs to be done with the International signings, whether it is a draft (most likely) or something else. Too many stories of shady deals and age discrepancies.
SOURCE: The St. Louis Cardinals already have pre-agreements in place with two of the top talents from the 2029 international class 🇩🇴🔥
• Jean Molina (13 years old) — OF — $1.2M
• Franyel Ortiz (13 years old) — SS — $1.2MSt. Louis continues to be aggressive in the… pic.twitter.com/LaRnDMDG6y
— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) May 18, 2026
These deals are etched in mercury. It would benefit all if these weren’t public. It puts integrity into comprimising conditions, it puts undo pressure on the children, and it draws sharks who believe they can do better for the boys for the next three years.
Yeah I am actually for a international draft or some type of change at this point. Something is wrong when 13 hear olds are making commitments like this. I know all teams do it and I just don’t like it.
Another high profile example of why verbal pre-agreements aren’t binding. Will this young man go through more agreements in the next three years until he can sign?
Translation:
The Yankees lose the “Dominican Ohtani” 😨
Angel García, the 14-year-old phenomenon, had a pre-agreement for over $5.0 million to sign in 2029. However, after the organization’s international director changed, everything fell apart.
• Dominates 2 pitches (fastball and slider)
• His fastball reaches 93 MPH
• Runs the 60 yards in 6.7 seconds and
• His throws from the OF exceed 101 MPHLos Yankees pierden al “Ohtani dominicano” 😨
Angel García, el fenómeno de 14 años, tenía un preacuerdo superior a los $5.0 millones para firmar en 2029. Sin embargo, tras el cambio de director internacional de la organización, todo se vino abajo.
• Domina 2 lanzamientos… pic.twitter.com/DkjelXJ9Vu
— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) May 19, 2026
If there is a lockout, would the International signing window still open, as planned, on Jan 15th? Or is that also linked to the MLB shutdown? I thought I read somewhere that minor league transactions/signings could still take place.
Yes, the only contract coming up is MLB (40-man roster). The minors, including draft and international, continue either way.
P.S. But this does mean that minor leaguers on the 40-man at that time would also be on strike/locked out. As of right now, that would include Joshua Baez, Jimmy Crooks, Leo Bernal, Brycen Mautz, Hunter Dobbins, etc. They are the prospects you want to play most. So, it would not be ideal.
International. Background checking was the reason for the delay between when his signing was disclosed until now. He had been on the Restricted List.
Cardinals have officially signed Venezuelan 🇻🇪 INF Johel Peña to a minor league contract
Peña trained at JB Academy in La Victoria, Venezuela
He’ll be assigned to the DSL Cardinals once activated. pic.twitter.com/lsJEGeWyDa
— Redbird Farmhands (@RedbirdFarmhand) June 8, 2026
MLB’s latest draft push comes at what feels like a breaking point internationally, especially in the DR. MLB continues to think a draft is the only fix; the union has previously pushed back, saying the open market needs to be policed better. From earlier:https://t.co/N9eKuHcjAm
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 18, 2026
Brian, with the two DSL players being promoted today, will the Cards add to the DSL roster to backfill, or leave it alone? I still haven’t seen anything from the Cardinals about signing Johel Peña (see above). Since the roster was full until today, could that have caused them to delay the official signing of this player?
It is highly likely that the delay is due to the required background and drug testing. If he fails, he was never officially signed.
Folks either don’t understand this or gloss over it when they rush to be first to “announce” a signing. Until the team confirms it, it is not a done deal. There are plenty of examples in recent years when a snag developed that voided the contract.
If/when the Cardinals need to make roster space, they will. I doubt they would delay anyone for that reason.
Yes, they could still sign more international players. The current period runs until December 15.
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