Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, 20, has been cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department and is now officially a free agent, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Source: Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, 20, is now a free agent, eligible to sign with any club.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 2, 2012
Though he defected to the Dominican Republic from Cuba in 2011, it has taken several months for the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control to give the 6' 3", 215 pound Soler the official go ahead to be eligible for free agency.
Some have speculated that the Chicago Cubs are the frontrunners to sign Soler, as the team was tied to a "bogus" deal for the outfielder and showed the greatest interest prior to the season. The Cubbies are not alone in courting the "potential five tool player" however, as the Blue Jays, Yankees and several others have also expressed interest.
No matter who ends up with Soler, it can be assured he will be signed prior to the implementation of the new CBA's international signing limits on July 2.