What happened: The informal verbal agreement is intended to become a future international contract. The $4 million figure is unprecedented for a player that age.
Why it matters: The commitment puts renewed focus on MLB's international signing system ahead of labor negotiations and a potential lockout. Teams increasingly make early commitments to secure young international talent.
By the numbers: $4 million commitment; player is 12 and would sign at 16.
What to watch: International signing rules could become a topic in upcoming collective-bargaining talks.