A pair of former top players from the Cuban junior national team have signed with the Cubs, who have agreed to terms with outfielder Rubi Silva and catcher Yaniel Cabeza, according to international sources. Silva, a 21-year-old lefthanded hitter, signed for a $1 million bonus. At around 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Silva is a good athlete who has played both center and right field with above-average speed and a strong arm. An aggressive hitter, Silva has a line-drive swing and gap power. Silva played for La Habana in Cuba's Serie Nacional in 2008-09 and hit .276/.305/.428 in 283 at-bats with 10 triples, four home runs, 12 walks and 44 strikeouts. Some scouts believe Silva has enough versatility to possibly even move to the infield, an option that wasn't available to him on the Cuban junior national team, which featured Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias and Blue Jays shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria up the middle. Cabeza, also 21, signed for $500,000. Cabeza stands out for his work behind the plate, earning praise from international scouts for his receiving, throwing and game-calling. His defense is ahead of his bat, but one Latin American director said Cabeza has solid bat control and is a good situational hitter. A teammate of Silva's for La Habana in 2008-09, Cabeza hit .195 with four walks and 14 strikeouts in 82 at-bats in 2008-09. Agent Jaime Torres represented both Silva and Cabeza. Silva is the fifth Cuban defector since 2010 to receive a bonus of at least $1 million, joining Reds lefthander Aroldis Chapman, Hechavarria, Royals lefty Noel Arguelles and Nationals righthander Yunesky Maya. --

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