Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates are “really strong” favorites to land 16-year-old right-handed pitcher Luis Heredia of the Mexican Baseball League.

Kovacevic adds, “barring some drastic change, it is expected that there will be an agreement executed rather quickly between the Pirates, Veracruz and the player. And that agreement most likely will be completed today (Thursday).”

Other teams believed to be interested in Heredia included the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves.

On Tuesday, Kovacevic added that Heredia’s bonus could be in the $2 million – $2.8 million range.