Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler has become a free agent, and will likely sign with a big-league team before the rules governing the signings of Latin American free agents change in early July.
↵Under general manager Neal Huntington, the Pirates have been active in signing Latin American talent, but don't expect them to be too involved here, Rob Biertempfel writes.
↵↵↵Cuban OF Jorge Soler, who now officially is a free agent, was on #Pirates radar last winter but the team wasn't as high on him as it was on Yoenis Cespedes (who got 4yr, $36M contract from #A's). Cubs, Phillies, Rangers are among those said to be interested in Soler and bidding probably will get crazy. That means that, once again, Pirates will likely be spectators rather than competitive bidders.
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Soler has been closely connected with the Cubs, and Baseball America notes that there's been speculation that he already has negotiated a deal with some team or another (which he's not allowed to do, but hey), so it wouldn't be surprising if he were to sign with Chicago fairly soon.
↵Soler is a toolsy player with excellent power, but much about him remains unknown, and he's regarded as being very raw.
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