According to MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed 18-year-old Cuban left-fielder Yusniel Diaz to a $15.5 million contract. The Dodgers have also signed second basemen Omar Estevez to a $6 million contract. It has not been announced how long these deals are, but these are big signings for the Dodgers.
Diaz is ranked third on the MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list. He had a .348 batting average, and hit 13 doubles and three triples in 65 games for the Havana Industriales. Diaz would have most likely been voted Serie Nacional's Rookie of the Year for the 2015 season, but once he defected from Cuba that award was given to the next best player.
Estevez is an above-average hitter and has shown solid raw power during batting practice. He has a muscular body, but he's not too bulky. He doesn't have a strong arm, but shows great actions on defense.
The Dodgers have clearly attracted some of the top Cuban talent in recent years, as they have signed Yasiel Puig for a seven year, $42 million contract back in 2012. Infielder Alex Guerrero signed a four-year, $28 million deal back in 2013. In 2014, they signed Erisbel Arruebarrena for five years, $25 million
The Dodgers continued their spending in 2015, signing Hector Olivera for six years, $62 million. Olivera was then traded this past summer to the Atlanta Braves. Los Angeles also signed pitcher Pablo Millan Fernandez in March of 2015 for $8 million.
On top of that, the Dodgers have signed 28 international prospects since the international signing period began. Some of those players include pitcher Yadiel Alvarez, outfielder Starling Heredia, infielder Ronny Brito, outfielder Christopher Arias, outfielder Carlos Rincon, pitcher Ramon Rosso, shortstop Luis Rodriguez, second baseman Aldo Espinoza, and also Damaso Marte.
With all of this talent that will start in the Dodgers farm system, they should be able to develop and once they get called up to the major leagues they should be able to make a run at a championship.