The Toronto Blue Jays have signed two Venezuelan players according to the team.

Pitcher Adonis Cardona and third baseman Gabriel Cenas were both inked to deals by the team as international free agents.

I reported back in May as well as again last week that the Jays were interested and than close to signing the 17-year old Cardona.

The two players will immediately report to the Dominican Summer League.

Cardona is reportedly going to earn $2.8 million as a bonus, while Cenas has reportedly signed for $700,000.

The additions go along with the signing of international shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who the Jays signed to a multi-year deal earlier in the season.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos has been aggressive on the international baseball front signing the three players as well as making a strong push for highly touted Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

The team has also reportedly signed an agreement with 2010 fifth round draft pick Dickie Thon for an above slot bonus of $1.5 million. The announcement has not been made official and might stay that way until after August 16th, the deadline for signing draft choices. This will keep other players from using Thon’s above slot bonus as leverage when negotiating with their teams.

The money that could go Thon’s way is mid-first round type cash, where Thon was projected before announcing that he was committed to Rice University, an outstanding baseball school. It looks as if the promise of $1.5 million has changed his mind.

In case you are wondering Thon is the son of former big league shortstop Dickie Thon, who had his All-Star career ended when he was hit in the eye with a pitch in1984. The eye injury led to problematic depth perception issues that forced Thon to end his career earlier than anticipated.

I would also like to give my condolences to the entire Steinbrenner family for the loss of one of the most recognizable sports owners of all-time George Steinbrenner, who passed away at the age of 80 today from an apparent heart attack.

Surely, New York Yankees fans everywhere are saddened by the loss of a man who literally returned the franchise to glory after purchasing the team on January 3rd of 1973.

Rest in peace Mr. Steinbrenner.

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