The Cuban Defectors Thread

[davell]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/is-alfredo-despaigne-coming-to-mlb-the-fascinating-decisions-ahead-for-cubas-star-outfielder/

 

Everything there is to know currently on Despaigne's situation.

[Guest]

The suspended v. ineligible thing is pretty interesting.

 

What I don't get is how it's at all possible Despaigne didn't know his passport was fraudulent. He's been around this song and dance for long enough that it seems pretty unlikely that some handler swindled him into that passport simply so he could collect a Mexican league salary/commission, unless it's the most Machiavellian scheme for trying to get Despaigne to MLB I can imagine.

[davell]

Play up how close you are to your home country, to the point they feel comfortable loaning you out. Defecting the smart and not dangerous way.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Update: The Mexican League will hold a press conference at 6 pm to discuss Alfredo Despaigne's case. More background: http://t.co/xfSTupdfo2

 

Apparently that's 6 CT. (Link was the link posted earlier.)

[Guest]

Despaigne suspended temporarily with a final decision coming, possibly as early as Monday: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/with-final-decision-still-to-come-mexican-league-temporarily-suspends-alfredo-despaigne/

[davell]

There's another Cuban defector named Daniel Carbonell that has evidently gained elibility. He's a 23 year old OF and has to sign prior to July 2nd or else he falls under the signing bonus cap. Due to a new rule involving needing 5, not 3, years of pro experience now.

 

He is supposedly a 5 tool player, although the power is iffy. Very, very fast with a good hit tool though. Is weighing 5 offers from some reports.

 

http://riveraveblues.com/2014/05/rosenthal-yankees-one-five-finalists-cuban-daniel-carbonell-103633/

[RammyFanny]

Saw Passan tweeted a Cuban article that said Despaigne is back in Cuba. Don't know the ramifications but I doubt it's good.

[Guest]

Saw Passan tweeted a Cuban article that said Despaigne is back in Cuba. Don't know the ramifications but I doubt it's good.

 

Badler said he returned to Cuba while he waited for a decision from Mexico. If he can't play in Mexico, his next move might be Japan.

[Guest]

RHP Jorge Despaigne, the top Cuban pitcher has left the country: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/jorge-despaigne-leaves-cuba/

 

Cuba is littered with soft-tossing pitchers throwing in the mid-80s, so Despaigne’s arm strength stands out relative to the rest of Serie Nacional pitchers. According to sources who have seen him pitch in Cuba, Despaigne is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with a plus fastball he can run into the mid-90s, although he hasn’t played on the Cuban national team, so scouts haven’t been able to evaluate him in person.

 

According to those sources, Despaigne struggles keeping his mechanics in check and in turn has trouble throwing strikes. That shows up in the numbers, as Despaigne had more walks (56) than strikeouts (54) in 70 2/3 innings last year with a 4.33 ERA in 11 starts and nine relief appearances. Unlike players such as Jose Abreu or Yoenis Cespedes, who were well-known, heavily-scouted stars on the Cuban national team, Despaigne is more of a relative unknown, and I’ve seen minimal video of him, so there’s a higher uncertainty level with Despaigne than other Cuban players who have left the island in recent years.

 

He's currently exempt from the international bonus caps but a change to the rules about the number of years of experience in professional leagues in Cuba goes into effect on 7/2/14 which would mean he'd have to sign under the cap. On top of that, there's an international signing dead period from 6/16-7/1. Obviously he'll try to sign before the new signing period but it'll be tough to show residency and get cleared by the US government that quickly.

[Guest]

Oh:

 

@BenBadler: New at Baseball America: Jay Z is going to represent free agent Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo http://t.co/TvonBUM2xK

 

@BenBadler: Big splash by Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports getting involved in the Cuban market. Castillo is the top Cuban position player available.

[davell]

With our current OF situation, Castillo seems like a solid target to me.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Rusney Castillo, the top Cuban player on the market, has a new highlight video. His home run-saving catch is terrific http://t.co/WkaZw0fRVs

[davell]

I asked Badler and he basically said no scout sees Castillo and Carbonell in the same light. Castillo is the superior player.

[Guest]

Alfredo Despaigne was suspended for life from the Mexican League. MLB said it wouldn't affect his status if he ever defected.

 

That said, it sounds like staying in Cuba or going to Japan to play in the NPB are the only options he's weighing. Sounds like he's still fiercely loyal to the Castro regime.

[davell]

Not 100% sure, but I think Carbonell and Iglesias both need to sign somewhere by Sunday. There's a moratorium on IFA signings from the 16th thru July 2nd and if they have less than FOUR years of pro ball, they'll get re-lumped in and be considered underage IFA's, due to the new rules. Almost positive Carbonell falls under this and I think Iglesias does too.

[Guest]

Badler is reporting that Raciel Iglesias got an extension to July 1st to sign and avoid the new IFA restrictions.

[davell]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/cuban-righthander-raisel-iglesias-gets-extended-window-sign/

 

Yeah, him and 3 others. Never heard of them though. I guess Carbonell(Badler's not high on him) needs to sign before Monday.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Castillo, yes. Igleisas less likely RT @F_T_Smasher Raisel Iglesias and Rusney Castillo, could you see either contributing in MLB this year?

[davell]

According to RotoWorld, Iglesias is nearing a 5 or 6 year deal for 15 mill with the Reds. I'd normally be pissed on losing young IFA's, but if he's strictly a reliever, as its been said, I'm OK with this.

[SouthSideRyan]

Giants signed Carbonell

[davell]

The Reds have denied signing Iglesias, but he'll sign somewhere within the next two weeks anyway.

[davell]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/power-hitting-yasmani-tomas-leaves-cuba/

 

Big time defection. Tomas needs to be a Cub. No excuses.

[Guest]

Interesting. In my expert 2 minutes of reading on each, it seems like he and Castillo might be similar caliber MLB players. Think I'd prefer the CF since it's a greater organizational need and there's fewer legitimate external options there.

[davell]

Hell, we need both. Good point about CF, I guess Castillo would be my preference too, if the hitting is remotely close.

[apete6]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/power-hitting-yasmani-tomas-leaves-cuba/

 

Big time defection. Tomas needs to be a Cub. No excuses.

 

Hey, another guy for Theo & co. to finish 2nd in the bidding for. FUN!