Detroit Tigers reportedly reach $4 million pre-agreement with 12-year-old prospect

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly reached a “pre-agreement” with 12-year-old Dominican prospect Kevin Sosa for a $4 million signing bonus. Because Major League Baseball regulations require international prospects to be at least 16 years old to sign a formal contract, the arrangement is an informal verbal agreement intended for when Sosa reaches eligibility in approximately four years.

Sosa is described by reporter Wilber Sánchez as an elite talent capable of handling fastballs in the 91-93 mph range. If the deal proceeds as reported, the $4 million figure would make him the youngest player in international baseball history to secure an arrangement of that magnitude.

While such “pre-acuerdos” are common in Latin American scouting, they remain controversial as MLB expressly forbids official deals before a player reaches the minimum signing age. The agreement is not a binding legal contract, and the Tigers have not officially announced the arrangement or confirmed the specific terms.