From MLB Trade Rumors:
The Red Sox signed Cuban catcher Adalberto Ibarra to a five-year Major League deal, according to Cubanballplayers.com. Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe confirmed the signing with Ibarra's agent Edwin Mejia. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the deal guarantees $3MM, "with incentives that could bring the total to $4.3MM." Silverman says Ibarra will report to the team's minor league complex before they decide where to assign him.
Ibarra, 22, played catcher, first base, second base, and third base in Cuba, but Cubanballplayers.com says the Sox view him as a backstop. According to Silverman, he hasn't focused on catching until the last few years
Interesting signing considering the other catchers in the farm system. Plus spending a minimum of $3 million on a prospect is risky, but that's the case for all international signings. He can play four positions and in his past two seasons playing in a Cuban league he's hit for .361 and .341 respectively. He's not hitting for power (16 HR in the past 5 seasons) now but it can be developed giving the right strength training. He could develop into a quality catcher, once he focuses on it.
