Cards Sign Four Latin Free-Agents

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 2, 2013 - The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed four
free agents from Latin America. Today marks the first day that teams are allowed to sign players who were not subject to last month's MLB First Year Player Draft.

The following players agreed to terms today with the Cardinals on the first date of eligibility:
Carlos Talavera, CF, S/R, 6-1, 175 lbs.; Born: Sept. 20, 1996 (Maracay, Venezuela)
Hector Linares, SS, R/R, 6-0, 160; Born: Jan. 13, 1997 (San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic)

In addition to Talavera and Linares, the club also reached agreement with the following already eligible players, who are still subject to the players passing a physical and an MLB background check:
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, 6-4, 170; Born: Sept. 7, 1995 (Azuna, Dominican Republic)
Kerrion Bennett, LHP, 6-3, 160; Born: May 28, 1996 (Laguna De Perlas, Nicaragua)

Cardinals' Director of International Scouting Moises Rodriguez indicated that all four players would be
signed to 2014 contracts and will report to the team's Dominican Republic academy immediately.