The Mets were one of the numerous teams whose Roki Sasaki dreams were shattered on Monday when the 23-year-old Japanese ace informed them that they were out of the running for his services. As expected, it has come down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, with the Toronto Blue Jays an unexpected third finalist.
Their international bonus pool money, which will replenish on Wednesday, will now be used for quite the consolation prize. The Mets have been in a verbal agreement with Dominican shortstop Elian Pena on a $5 million deal, which can be signed and made official this week.
A left-handed bat, Pena has the makeup to develop into a legitimate five-tool star at the MLB level. He has already displayed sound defense up the middle and at the plate, has exhibited remarkable bat speed and plate discipline for a prospect his age.
Pena's expected $5 million deal almost doubles the franchise's previous most expensive international free agent signings when they inked catcher Yovanny Rodriguez to a $2.85 million deal last winter.
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