The Cuban Defectors Thread

[davell]

is it still a key addition if the Cubs sign him?

 

Sounds like Brett has his excuse already written for him

 

In fairness, Castillo may or may not be a true starting OFer. I want him and I'm not buying he has THAT much more value just because a contender may be able to use him this year. There's plenty of years other than the first one to take into account.

[fan_in_China]

Yoan Moncada has apparently made it off the island. This is the kid I want the most out of all the Cubans (other than Despaigne). Moncada is a 19 year old switch hitter, who already has 2 years above average hitting in Series Nacional (at 17 and 18!). And at 6'2" he still has room to fill out. He will probably be a 3B in the MLB.

 

Unfortunately, unless it takes him more than a year to establish residency in another country, he is not going to the Cubs. He is so young that he would be subject to the International Spending limits, and the Cubs can't spend over 250K on a player. If he does wait until next year I hope the Cubs would be willing to go over their limit, just for him.

 

If I were him though, I would sign a 3 year deal in the Dominican or Japan or maybe Mexico. He could then be a regular Free Agent. If he dominated those leagues, he would get a giant, giant deal. If he wasn't that great, I bet someone would still give him 3 or 4 million more than he would make this way. But I am not sure a 3 year deal in those countries is even possible.

[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.

 

Sorry for quoting myself.

 

Alfredo Despaigne is going to play in Japan and will return to Cuba at the end of the NPB season.

[Cubswin11]

What was he suspended for?

[mul21]

What was he suspended for?

 

He had a fake Dominican passport and used it to play in Mexico.

[Guest]

@JesseSanchezMLB: Cuban OF prospect Rusney Castillo has a showcase scheduled for 7/26 in Miami. He's repped by Roc Nation Sports (Roc Nation & CAA Sports)

[Guest]

The Cubs, White Sox, Braves, and Giants are teams linked to Rusney Castillo. He has a showcase next Saturday in Miami.

 

http://js.mlblogs.com/2014/07/19/rusney-castillo-linked-to-cubs-white-sox-others/

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

pls sign him. I don't even care if he ends up sucking.

[davell]

I'd love to add him, get a jump on FA.

[A New Era]

wouldn't that Tomas guy be a bigger upside type we should be after?

[davell]

wouldn't that Tomas guy be a bigger upside type we should be after?

 

Maybe so, but being comped to Ellsbury, Gardner, and Lofton isn't exactly shabby. His versatility fits very well too. Not to mention, this wouldn't knock us out on Tomas anyway.

[Clem Fandango]

I hate that the White Sox are always in on the Cuban players. With Ramirez, Viciedo, and Abreu on their major league squad, I imagine they are a desirable target for other Cubans entering the market, and it immediately gives them an advantage to entice them to sign with them.

[Guest]

@SahadevSharma Cubs very familiar w R Castillo, feel comfortable w their eval of him. Speed w surprising pop. Coachable w improved swing since leaving Cuba

[Guest]

Would love this

[Sammy Sofa]

How old is he? Is he one of the cool Cubans that they'd be able to have in the majors sooner rather than later?

[Guest]

How old is he? Is he one of the cool Cubans that they'd be able to have in the majors sooner rather than later?

 

27 years old, 5-9 and 200 lbs

[Sammy Sofa]

How old is he? Is he one of the cool Cubans that they'd be able to have in the majors sooner rather than later?

 

27 years old, 5-9 and 200 lbs

 

Excellent.

[Guest]

How old is he? Is he one of the cool Cubans that they'd be able to have in the majors sooner rather than later?

 

27 years old, 5-9 and 200 lbs

 

Excellent.

 

Yeah, but based on those comps, you won't like what he's good at.

[Sammy Sofa]

Unless he's Tony Campana I'm down.

[Guest]

It sounds insane that a 5'9" 200lb dude can be getting speed comps to lofton, gardner, and jacoby, erstwhile being described as having surprising pop.

 

 

Isn't that Tomas's bodytype?

[Guest]

Somewhere between a homeless man's Victorino and actual Victorino seems like the range from the little I can tell.

[Guest]

 

 

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Interesting twist: Word is Rusney Castillo's showcase will have him in the outfield and infield. Speed for CF, but does have INF background.

 

@BenBadler: Castillo's a plus-plus runner, no question for me he can play CF. Never seen him in the infield, but played 26 G at 2B, 7 at 3B in 2009-10.

 

@BenBadler: There are tons of Cuban defectors out there. Most are are org guys at best, despite agent marketing tactics. Castillo and Tomas are legit.

[davell]

We're not going to have to have power coming off LF/RF. I can see Castillo and Alcantara at 1-2 in the order, followed by Rizzo, KB, Starlin, and Javy by May next year.

 

The versatility is such a damn plus too. I am really talking myself into wanting him more than Tomas honestly.

[A New Era]

We're not going to have to have power coming off LF/RF. I can see Castillo and Alcantara at 1-2 in the order, followed by Rizzo, KB, Starlin, and Javy by May next year.

 

The versatility is such a damn plus too. I am really talking myself into wanting him more than Tomas honestly.

 

Hell I want both. Might as well wish for the best, but I'd settle for only 1.