This helps explain why the Yankees hoarded all that international signing bonus money.

The Yankees signed Osiel Rodriguez, a 16-year-old pitching prospect out of Cuba, for $600,000 on Sunday.

The Yankees had made trades Saturday and Sunday to accrue the rights to spend more money on the international market — gaining $2.5 million with trades of relievers Chasen Shreve, Giovanny Gallegos and Caleb Frare — with Rodriguez apparently being part of that plan.

Baseball America ranked Rodriguez as the No. 1 pitcher in the international market and No. 5 prospect overall. The right-hander reportedly has a fastball that touches 96 mph as a still-developing teenager.