When the Baltimore Orioles hired new Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias, who had recently served as the International Scouting Director for the Houston Astros, they did so in part to develop a better presence in the international market, and specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean. Signing Cuban defector Yolbert Sanchez would be a big step in the right direction for Elias and the Orioles.
Fangraphs.com prospect writers Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen released a report stating that Sanchez had been cleared by MLB early on Tuesday afternoon, and that he would be available to sign as of February 5th.