Mets Officially Sign Wandy Asigen

The 2026 International Free Agency period has officially begun, and the New York Mets have signed one of the players in the class, shortstop Wandy Asigen. According to our own Mike Mayer, the Mets have traded left-handed pitching prospect Franklin Gomez to the Guardians for $1.5 million in International Free Agency pool money.

Asigen is ranked second-best in the IFA class by MLB Pipeline. Wilber Sánchez reported Wednesday that the Mets have increased Asigen’s bonus from $3.8 million to $3.9 million. The Mets have officially signed Venezuelan outfielder Cleiner Ramirez as well. Ramirez is ranked as the No. 23 prospect in this IFA class by Pipeline. The bonus for Ramirez is $1,372,500.

Asigen originally had an agreement to sign with the Yankees before they fired their director of international scouting. Asigen backed out of the deal, and the Mets were able to swoop in to get one of the best players in the class. It is typical for players to agree on deals with teams when they are 12 or 13 years old, though they can’t officially sign until they are 16.

The Mets’ current bonus pool for this IFA class is $5,440,000. Given that when the Mets made many of their previous agreements, they believed Asigen was signing with the Yankees, the Mets needed to make a trade to have enough bonus $ to sign all their previous agreements.

Venezuelan third baseman Josue Chacoa was previously expected to sign for over $2 million, but the deal was voided and he was suspended after MLB discovered he misrepresented his age as 16 when he was actually 18.

Wandy Asigen

Wandy is a shortstop and was born on August 21, 2009. Scouts say he is a five-tool player with plus exit velocities of 110+ MPH and with quick hands in the field. Here’s what Baseball America says about him:

Long expected to sign with the Yankees, Asigen at one point looked like he might sign with the Rangers, but now is set to sign with the Mets. Asigen ranked second in walks at the U-15 World Cup in 2024, one of multiple international tournaments where he represented the Dominican Republic. He’s one of the youngest players in the 2026 international signing class, so he will play the entire Dominican Summer League season as a 16-year-old, but his tools are advanced beyond his years with a skill set reminiscent of Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm. There’s explosive bat speed from a compact lefthanded swing, allowing him to blast balls out of the park to the middle of the field already. There’s some swing-and-miss to his game against live pitching, but he has the power to potentially hit 25-plus home runs if everything clicks with a potential power-over-hit game. The tools are there for Asigen to handle shortstop, where he’s still learning to slow the game down and play under control. Some scouts think he could eventually move to second or third base, but Asigen is a quick-burst athlete with plus speed and above-average arm strength.

Cleiner Ramirez

Ramirez is an outfielder and was born on December 1, 2009. Scouts like his ability to generate tons of bat speed as well as his defensive versatility as he has both infield and outfield experience. Here’s what Baseball America says about him:

At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Ramirez isn’t that big, but it’s a stocky, strong build for his age with the ability to generate impressive bat speed. He rotates his hips powerfully, generating force throughout his body to whistle the barrel through the zone. Scouts were mixed on his pure hitting ability, but the ball carries well off his bat for his size when he’s on time and on the sweet spot. Ramirez is athletic with above-average speed in center field and an average arm from a compact throwing stroke. His athleticism could give him the versatility to play some in the infield, where he does have experience, though right now he’s primarily a center fielder.

OTHER PLAYERS SIGNED

• RHP Oscar Montero – Dominican Republic, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, 12/6/2008
• SS Oscar Pena – Dominican Republic
• SS Johendys Sanchez – Dominican Republic, 5-foot-10, 150 pounds
• SS Cristopher Jaquez – Dominican Republic, 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, 12/28/2008
• SS Sebastian Toro – 6-foot-3, Venezuela
• RHP Gensil Rosario – Dominican Republic, 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, 2/25/2009

For the second straight year, the Mets have landed one of the best players in the IFA class. Last year, they gave shortstop Elian Peña to a $5 million signing bonus.

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