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Story summary
- The Philadelphia Phillies reached a pre-agreement with 11-year-old Venezuelan shortstop David Basabe for $1.8 million, to take effect when he becomes eligible to sign in 2031.
- The deal would be record-breaking and signals a shift in MLB international scouting.
- Critics question the legality and consequences of committing a young player before eligibility to sign.
- Phillies bet on Basabe's potential and highlight a trend of teams securing talent before signing age.
