Tigers Reach Informal Deal with 12-Year-Old Sosa for Future $4M Bonus

The Tigers have a pre-agreement with 12-year-old infielder Kevin Sosa for a $4 million signing bonus, but it's not official because MLB rules require players to be 16 to sign. Sosa is part of the 2031 international class and reportedly can handle fastballs in the 91-93 mph range. The deal would be the largest ever for a player his age, though it remains informal until he becomes eligible.

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The informal nature of this arrangement is its defining feature. Because MLB rules prohibit official contracts until a player turns 16, the Tigers' reported offer to Sosa is essentially a handshake agreement with no binding guarantee. The report from Wilber Sánchez lacks independent scouting confirmation, and the club has not publicly acknowledged the pre-agreement. Sosa's placement in the 2031 international