CSN Bay Area

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Yoan Moncada arrived Wednesday at the spring training headquarters of the Boston Red Sox, another step toward completion of a hefty contract for the 19-year-old Cuban.

The Red Sox and Moncada's agent reached an agreement earlier this week on a deal with a $31.5 million signing bonus, a record for an under-23 international amateur player. Moncada had physical exams scheduled this week in both Florida and Boston, before the contract can be finalized. His representative, David Hastings, said earlier this week he hoped the deal would be finalized by Friday.

Wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, Moncada entered the club's spring training complex in Fort Myers just after 8 a.m. and walked straight into the offices.

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said there's still not a signed deal in place with Moncada.

President and chief executive officer Larry Lucchino and owner John Henry met with Moncada, a switch-hitting middle infielder with five-tool potential. The Red Sox will pay $63 million to get him, due to a 100 percent tax required by Major League Baseball for exceeding their international signing bonus pool allotment.

"There are a lot of strong feelings on that subject within the game. Some people favor an international draft to level the playing field so to speak, and that's a little above our pay grade," Lucchino said. "It's a CBA issue that has to be addressed. We'll play by whatever rules there are and take advantage of whatever we can on behalf of the Red Sox. I do think there's a lot of sensitivity to that issue on the baseball side and the players association. We'll see. The CBA's coming up."