As we wrote about on Friday, the Mets have officially announced the signing of 16-year-old Dominican shortstop German Rosario for $1.75 million. It's the most cash money they've ever doled out to an international free agent, leveling their previous record bonus of $1.3 million awarded to Fernando Martinez in 2005. Martinez can currently be found hitting .335/.387/.535 for the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
Baseball America had Rosario ranked #11 overall on their list of top international free agents, describing him as having "a long, lanky build, good bat speed and raw power in batting practice along with average speed."
Mets VP of player development Paul DePodesta said in a statement today that Rosario "has the chance to [have an impact on] the game offensively, defensively and off the field."
In addition to Rosario, Adam Rubin reports that the Mets picked up a couple of other international free agents of less repute: Dominican second baseman Franklin Correa and Venezuelan shortstop Miguel Patino. The trio will be assigned to the Mets' training academy in the Dominican Republic.