The New York Mets just made a major splash on the international market, flipping the script on a deal that was once all but done. Wandy Asigen, a 16-year-old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic and one of the crown jewels of the 2026 international signing class, is now expected to sign with the Mets for a bonus in the neighborhood of $3.8 million. That’s a significant chunk of New York’s $5.44 million international bonus pool-and it signals just how highly they value Asigen’s upside.
This move comes after Asigen had previously been lined up to sign with the Yankees. In international amateur free agency, verbal agreements well ahead of the official signing date-January 15 in this case-are common, even though they’re technically against the rules.
But things took a turn in November when the Yankees parted ways with longtime international scouting director Donny Rowland. That decision triggered a domino effect: with Rowland out, Asigen backed out of his verbal commitment and reopened his recruitment.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman addressed the move last month, noting that Rowland’s contract had expired and that it was time for a change. “Just like everything else, you’ve got to make some very difficult decisions,” Cashman said.
“I’ve been involved with Donny Rowland for a long time. But fork in the road, contract had expired, and so I made the difficult decision to look for a different lead voice in that chair.”
In many ways, Asigen’s decommitment mirrors what we often see in college sports-when a top recruit rethinks his future after a coaching change. While it’s not unusual for teams to pull out of verbal agreements (the Dodgers famously backed out of several last year to make room for Roki Sasaki), it’s far less common to see a player of Asigen’s caliber flip the script. That makes this move all the more notable.
And make no mistake-Asigen is the real deal. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the No. 2 prospect in the 2026 international class, and the scouting reports are glowing.
Offensively, he’s already flashing advanced tools that have scouts buzzing. We’re talking triple-digit exit velocities (he’s reportedly topped 110 mph), a knack for barreling the ball in live action, and the kind of natural loft that suggests his power is only going to grow as he matures.
His hands are lightning-quick, and evaluators believe he could be a real force at the plate as he develops.
Defensively, there’s a lot to like as well. Asigen shows the kind of quick-twitch athleticism you want in a shortstop.
His arm is considered average for now, but his instincts and range-helped by a 6.5-second 60-yard dash-allow him to cover serious ground. That combination of athleticism and feel for the position gives him a good shot to stick at shortstop long-term, though his bat alone could carry him even if he eventually shifts to another spot.
The international signing period is a different animal from the posting system used for veterans from Japan. That system applies to players 25 and older, while the international signing period is all about younger, amateur talent-mostly from Latin America.
Teams are given a set bonus pool, and while they can trade for up to 60% more, the pool itself is a hard cap. In 2026, small-market teams have the biggest pools (just over $8 million), while teams like the Mets and Yankees are sitting at $5.44 million.
So yes, the Mets are going all-in on Asigen, allocating the majority of their available funds to one player.
As for the Yankees, this is the latest chapter in what’s been a rocky stretch in international free agency. From 2017 to 2023, they handed out eight bonuses of at least $1 million.
Only two of those players-Jasson Domínguez and Kevin Alcántara (who was traded to the Cubs in the Anthony Rizzo deal)-have reached the majors. The rest are still grinding in the lower levels of the minors.
That track record likely played a role in the decision to move on from Rowland, and Asigen’s decommitment only adds to the sting.
For the Mets, though, this is a statement move. They’re betting big on a teenager who already shows signs of being a future star. And if Asigen lives up to the hype, this could be one of those signings we look back on as a turning point-not just for the player, but for the franchise that landed him.