Update on Ibarra signing

While it was commonly believed the Cuban catcher Adalberto Ibarra would be signed to a major league contract and placed on the team's 40-man roster, Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that Ibarra initially failed a physical and his contract was renegotiated.

The Red Sox and Ibarra had agreed upon a 5 year deal worth $3 million that could have escalated to around $4.3 million in incentives. Once Ibarra failed his physical, for what sources say the team deemed a "minor issue", the two sides renegotiated the deal and came to an agreement on a minor league deal worth between $700,000-$800,000. The bonus given to Ibarra is in line with what a supplemental first round selection would receive in the amateur draft.

Ibarra, 23, is thought to have great power potential from behind the plate to go along with solid defensive skills and a plus throwing arm. He has only played catcher regularly since last year and was a highly sought after international signing, as the Red Sox beat out many other clubs for his services. In just 7 games split between the Rookie Gulf Coast League and High-A Salem, Ibarra has collected 4 hits in 21 at-bats.

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