Angels sign Cuban shortstop Baldoquin

Three days after diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba were re-established, the Angels are adding a Cuban infielder to their puzzle.

Los Angeles signed shortstop Roberto Baldoquin after he passed a physical, according to MLB.com.

"This is a dream come true," Baldoquin told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez in Spanish after the deal was first made. "I've made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point. I'm ready for the next part of my journey."

Cuban INF prospect Roberto Baldoquin passed his physical & signed with the #Angels. The deal is done. pic.twitter.com/YwCyNy3CCg

- Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) December 21, 2014

The 20-year-old infielder will be invited to big league camp in February, but is likely to start the season with Class A Advanced Inland Empire or Double-A Arkansas. The Angels anticipate Baldoquin advancing through the system as a shortstop, but he could eventually be competition for newly acquired Johnny Giavotella as Howie Kendrick's replacement at second base.

"We're going to let him tell us when it's time to move," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said during the Winter Meetings, "but he's a pretty advanced player. He's a confident kid who understands what he is, what he can do."

The signing will become official once the Commissioner's Office approves paperwork. When the Angels do announce the deal -- likely next week -- Baldoquin will receive an $8 million signing bonus, the biggest figure Anaheim has given a Cuban player.

Dipoto added that Baldoquin is "a very well-rounded player" who's "a gifted defender with soft hands," "has plenty of arm strength to move around the diamond" and "a very advanced feel in the batter's box."

Baldoquin played three seasons in the Serie Nacional in Cuba as well as playing the 16 and under national team, but has been training in the Dominican Republic since he defected in February.