PHILADELPHIA -- Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert, 19, is expected to sign a multi-million bonus in the coming weeks.
The Phillies are not expected to sign the top international prospect.
The Phillies already have reached their 2016-17 bonus pool allotment. If they sign Robert before June 15, the Phillies would be penalized and not allowed to sign any international prospects for more than $300,000 during the next two international signing periods, in addition to paying a 100 percent tax on the pool overage.
• International Amateur Free Agency & Bonus Pool Money
In other words, if the Phillies exceed their allotment, they could not sign an international prospect for more than $300,000 until July 2, 2019.
MLB.com wrote earlier this week that the A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres and Reds are in the running for Robert because they already exceeded their 2016-17 pool allotments and would have to sign Robert before the international signing period starts again on July 2. Teams like the Angels, Blue Jays, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Rays, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees are out of the running because they previously exceeded their pool allotments and cannot sign players for more than $300,000.