For a kid who has not yet put bat to ball in the majors, Adeiny Hechavarria is getting a large chunk of change.
Hechavarria, the Cuban shortstop who agreed to terms with the Blue Jays last month but could not sign until visa issues were cleared up, officially put his signature on a contract with Toronto on Tuesday.
The deal includes a $4-million US signing bonus — the largest the Jays have given an amateur player — and will pay Hechavarria a total of $10 million in four years.
“The financial commitment speaks for itself,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We are hoping that this is someone who can emerge and be a core piece for us. We understand there is a risk, and he will have to go out and prove (he can be a cornerstone for the organization).
“This is a significant signing. He’s the total package.”
Hechavarria, who turns 21 on Thursday, will be paid $500,000 in 2010, $2 million in 2011, $1.75 million in 2012 and $1.75 million in 2013.
The Jays expect fully that Hechavarria will end the string of also-rans and never-weres who have patrolled shortstop since the original Alex Gonzalez was traded in 2001.
The Alex Gonzalez who plays short now is safe for the time being.
“Right now, we just want to get (Hechavarria) acclimated to North America, put him on extended spring training for a month (in Dunedin) to get him comfortable,” Anthopoulos said. “At the end of the month or early May, get him into some (class-A) games in Florida. Hopefully he ends up the season in (double-A) New Hampshire.”
If Hechavarria develops faster than Anthopoulos and his staff expect, the GM said he would have no trouble promoting the youngster to the Blue Jays by the end of the season. But Hechavarria has not played in a game since last year, so the chance of that happening probably would be small.
Hechavarria, who defected to Mexico in 2009, spent last season in the Cuban League and had a .262 average with six doubles, two triples and one home run. Hechavarria has been compared to the Chicago Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano.
Anthopoulos does not foresee a day when Hechavarria is anything other than a shortstop.
“He has very good range, above-average throwing arm and above-average defence,” Anthopoulos said. “We absolutely believe he is going to stay at shortstop.”
terry.koshan@sunmedia.ca
