The Mets have signed Cuban catcher Lednier Ricardo to a minor league deal, adding minor league organizational depth at the position for the second time this season. A few weeks ago, the team acquired catcher Dan Rohlfing from the Twins.
MLB Trade Rumors reported last July that scouts from as many as a dozen major league clubs showed up to watch Ricardo's showcase in the Dominican Republic. The 27-year-old has experience starting for the Cuban national team, and he has hit .256/.320/.371 with 26 home runs in his time playing in the Cuban National Series between 2007 and 2012.
The Mets did not have to spend any of their international signing bonus pool money, which is capped, to sign Ricardo due to his age and playing experience. Ricardo will likely report to either Double-A or Triple-A for the Mets, who currently have three catchers at the major league level while starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud recovers from a broken finger.