The Yankees spent much of the trade deadline acquiring international pool money and after signing Cuban right-hander Osiel Rodriguez to a $600,000 deal, they spent a reported $2.5 million to add 16-year-old shortstop Alexander Vargas — also from Cuba.
The switch-hitting Vargas has impressed with his speed and his glove. As a comparison, Gary Sanchez signed for $3 million in 2009.
They also signed outfielder Kevin Alcantara, 16, to a $1 million deal last month.
The loss of Aaron Judge to a fractured wrist has forced Giancarlo Stanton to play more outfield lately, so Boone started Stanton at DH during the Yankees’ 7-5 loss to the woeful Orioles Wednesday and kept Neil Walker out of the starting lineup.