ST. LOUIS • A deal that has been expected since spring training was finalized Friday and continued to show the Cardinals expensive and expanding involvement in the Cuban market.
The Cardinals announced the official signing of outfielder Jonatan Machado, a 17-year-old speedster that the club described as "a prototypical leadoff hitter." The Cardinals signed Machado for a bonus of $2.35 million, and he alone surpasses their international spending pool. The Cardinals blew by that long ago and will pay dollar-for-dollar tax on Machado's deal, and the club could also invite future restraints on international spending.
With its completion, Machado's bonus is the largest ever for the Cardinals, surpassed only by the $3.