Mets finalize $5 million deal with 17-year-old Elian Pena as Roki Sasaki consolation prize
NY Post
The Mets lost out on Roki Sasaki but ended up with what they hope is a pretty good consolation prize in 17-year-old shortstop Elian Peña from the Dominican Republic.
Considered by some scouts to be the next-best international free agent outside of Sasaki, Peña signed a $5 million deal with the Mets on Wednesday, the first day of the international signing period.
The move takes up most of the team’s $6.2 million bonus pool.
If the Mets had been able to sign Sasaki — the Japanese right-hander who has narrowed his choices to the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays and is expected to sign within the week — they wouldn’t have had enough money left to bring in Peña.
Of course, Peña figures to be at least several years away from possibly contributing at the major league level, while Sasaki, 23, is expected to be a top-of-the-rotation starter this season.
The Mets have been linked to Peña since last year and gave him the largest signing bonus in franchise history, far surpassing the $2.85 million given to Venezuelan catcher Yovanny Rodriguez a year ago.
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