AA and LaCava watched Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

[Angrioter]

Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, assistant GM Tony LaCava and special assistant Latin American operations Ismael Cruz watched Cuban free agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez pitch in Tijuana, Mexico on Friday.

 

While it’s not clear what their impressions of the right-hander were, the Blue Jays have been cautious in similar past instances.

[Dr. Dinger]

I'm so glad they bid conservatively on Chapman and Darvish.

[Deadpool]

I'm so glad they bid conservatively on Chapman and Darvish.

 

Pretty much have to get this guy at this point...

 

Also, Puig and Cespedes can be added to that list...

[flafson]

The plus about getting someone like that is that we don't need to give any prospects, we are thin as it is there.

[Angrioter]

I'm so glad they bid conservatively on Chapman and Darvish.

 

I'm sure that now they'll overpay for the next Livan Hernandez.

[Angrioter]

The plus about getting someone like that is that we don't need to give any prospects, we are thin as it is there.

 

OK

Check out these excellent examples: Adeiny Hechavarria, Betancourt, Vladimir Núñez, Irabu, Yoshii, Ohka, So Taguchi, Kaz Matsui

[Angrioter]

Just about every Cuban guy works out these days. Let's sign this kid.

 

You are a prospects hoarder bro. You prefer to sign unknown Cubans instead of trade Aaron Sanchez/Osuna for Kevin Slowey.

[ace3113]

[DuckDuckGose]

OK

Check out these excellent examples: Adeiny Hechavarria, Betancourt, Vladimir Núñez, Irabu, Yoshii, Ohka, So Taguchi, Kaz Matsui

 

Love to know more about the control/command of all of his pitches but the raw stuff is definitely MLB calibre according to the reports I've read. I think AA needs to be going after this guy if he thinks he is even an average MLB starter.

[Deadpool]

 

If we have enough Int'l cap space, I'd take a shot at this guy too. With apologies to my Dominican friend, these Cubans have been money lately.

[BabbaGanoush]

Didnt AA say something like he regrets not putting more money on the line for Chapman?

[G-Snarls]

Didnt AA say something like he regrets not putting more money on the line for Chapman?

 

Maybe. Never heard that.

 

He has never said a single word about Darvish I know that. Refuses to make any comment at all.

[SpeedyGose]

I'm so glad they bid conservatively on Chapman and Darvish.

 

It makes it so much worse now that we know for sure the money was there. Wasting our money on JJ and Buerhle. I have faith Dickey will continue to turn it around but I would easily have taken all of his money to the Darvish fund plus keeping TDA and Noah.

 

Excuse me, I am going to cry now.

[BabbaGanoush]

Maybe. Never heard that.

 

He has never said a single word about Darvish I know that. Refuses to make any comment at all.

Here I found a quote.

“I guess my one regret is I wish it was a greater comfort level on our part,” said Anthopoulos in assessing his first year as GM last winter.

 

http://http://mopupduty.com/the-blue-jays-and-international-free-agents-1218/

[TheHurl]

If we have enough Int'l cap space, I'd take a shot at this guy too. With apologies to my Dominican friend, these Cubans have been money lately.

 

I think several teams will buy cap space to land him. Might be smart to be selling cap space (too late for the Jays)

[ace3113]

If we have enough Int'l cap space, I'd take a shot at this guy too. With apologies to my Dominican friend, these Cubans have been money lately.

 

Here's all I could find on Linares from 4 years ago.

 

2009 World Youth Baseball Championship (Stats)

2.20era 4ip 4bb 2k

[ace3113]

 

[Deadpool]

 

 

The advantage to Cubans coming to Toronto is that we have no travel embargo, so their families could (theoretically) come visit! (Though, I doubt the government is really thrilled at the families of defectors...)

[o2cui2i]

I'm so glad they bid conservatively on Chapman and Darvish.

 

absolutely... wouldn't want to make a bid that might actually win, but you just want to let your fans make believe you barely missed out.

[KSaw]

I think several teams will buy cap space to land him. Might be smart to be selling cap space (too late for the Jays)

 

The Cubs have landed the top international free agent but have not made it official yet. They still need to acquire over $600k in slot money. It's speculated that money will come as party of a Garza trade and in the next 3 days.

[ace3113]

Report on Cuban pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9445147/odrisamer-despaigne-cuban-pitcher-defects-europe-according-report

 

 

HAVANA -- Cuban pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne has reportedly defected while in Europe with the country's national team.

 

Communist Party newspaper Granma says Despaigne abandoned the squad at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport during a layover en route to a baseball tournament in the Netherlands.

 

The 26-year-old Despaigne is an eight-year veteran who played for Havana powerhouse ball club Industriales. Last season the right-hander recorded a 5-2 record in 12 starts.

 

Defections are common by Cuban ballplayers, lured by the prospect of multimillion-dollar contracts in Major League Baseball.

 

Granma did not say Tuesday when he defected. It reported the news in the last paragraph of a story about a 7-0 Cuba loss to Holland in Rotterdam.

[Deadpool]

The Cubs have landed the top international free agent but have not made it official yet. They still need to acquire over $600k in slot money. It's speculated that money will come as party of a Garza trade and in the next 3 days.

 

I've read that the Cubs are resigned to taking the luxury tax/next year penalties over this year's haul...

[Atothe]

That fat Greek needs to sign Some damn cubans. Hech was a disappointment but he needs to try f***ing harder. Imagine Darvish and Chapman at the top of the rotation. We would be saying f*** morrow and romero with those two

[P2F]

The Cubs have landed the top international free agent but have not made it official yet. They still need to acquire over $600k in slot money. It's speculated that money will come as party of a Garza trade and in the next 3 days.

 

Garza to Jays?

[Dr. Dinger]

Garza to Jays?

 

That would be a very welcome addition.

[NorthOf49]

That would be a very welcome addition.

Garza is a rental though, I'm not sure how that would make sense.

[John_Havok]

That would be a very welcome addition.

 

Yep, but it's pretty sad that he'd instantly be the best SP in the rotation...

[Deadpool]

That would be a very welcome addition.

 

For the IFA monies and a D- prospect and done!

[Angrioter]

Garza is a rental though, I'm not sure how that would make sense.

 

For first time

 

Cubans FA >> Garza

 

Not willing to give up a good prospect for 3 months of Garza and then lose him in the free agency.

[NorthOf49]

For first time

 

Cubans FA >> Garza

 

Not willing to give up a good prospect for 3 months of Garza and then lose him in the free agency.

Let's get either the Cuban guy or Peavy. That's my wishlist.