As the final international free agent of his type, Jorge Soler stood to cash in. He's the last high-profile young guy from another country on whom a major-league baseball team could spend as much as it wanted, without having to worry about any future penalties. There were reports that Soler signed on with the Chicago Cubs. Those reports have been confirmed. Did he cash in? You bet he cashed in.

Soler got about $30M in cubs deal

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) June 11, 2012

soler deal is 9 years w/ cubs

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) June 11, 2012

These reports have also been confirmed. The 20-year-old Soler has signed with the Cubs for nine years and $30 million.

Unlike Yoenis Cespedes, the Cuban outfielder who signed a four-year contract with Oakland, Soler is not thought to be big-league ready. Far from it, as a matter of fact, and Soler's expected to begin his professional career near the very bottom of the organizational ladder. But if he's as talented as they say he is, he could rise in a hurry and turn himself into the franchise cornerstone the Cubs so desperately hope he can be.

Nine years and thirty million dollars seems like an awful lot to invest in a prospect. But, is it, when it's a prospect like Soler? I don't actually have any idea, myself. But by asking the question this way, it makes me sound deep. Writing is all about becoming comfortable with these little tricks.