Top Cuban pitching prospect Yasiel Sierra has left the island

[Angrioter]

Jesse Sanchez ‏

Source: Top Cuban pitching prospect Yasiel Sierra, 23, has left the island & is seeking residency outside of Cuba. Believed to be in the DR.

[G-Snarls]

If true can he sign in this year's IFA period??? Or will he have to wait for next year?

[TwistedLogic]

If true can he sign in this year's IFA period??? Or will he have to wait for next year?

 

Highly doubt that he'd be available for this year's IFA period.

[G-Snarls]

Highly doubt that he'd be available for this year's IFA period.

 

That's what I was thinking. I don't know what the rules are exactly but it's coming up awful soon and he has no residency yet.

[TwistedLogic]

That's what I was thinking. I don't know what the rules are exactly but it's coming up awful soon and he has no residency yet.

 

It's not just that, I think they have to file by a certain date to be eligible, and apparently the defectors from even a few months ago were a question mark to be available in this year's class. I really can't say much more about it because I don't know much of anything about the IFA eligibility process and I'm feeling too lazy to go look it up. I know for certain that something was written about it on MLBTR a few months ago when a few Cuban guys defected all at once, maybe around the time Olivera jumped.

[Mikeleelop]

based on age, he may be treated like a UFA

[G-Snarls]

It's not just that, I think they have to file by a certain date to be eligible, and apparently the defectors from even a few months ago were a question mark to be available in this year's class. I really can't say much more about it because I don't know much of anything about the IFA eligibility process and I'm feeling too lazy to go look it up. I know for certain that something was written about it on MLBTR a few months ago when a few Cuban guys defected all at once, maybe around the time Olivera jumped.

 

With MLB Rule Change, Yoan Moncada Cleared To Sign

 

By Jeff Todd [February 3, 2015 at 3:00pm CDT]

 

Much-hyped Cuban second baseman Yoan Moncada is free to sign after MLB modified its standards for incoming players from his home nation, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports on Twitter.

 

With a so-called “specific license” from OFAC no longer needed, MLB will now accept a “general license” combined with a “sworn statement [by the player] that the prospect permanently resides outside of Cuba and has no intent to return to Cuba,” Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs reports on Twitter (quoting from a league memo).

 

Already technically a free agent, Moncada was awaiting clearance to actually sign a contract. Some uncertainty in the standards had arisen in the wake of recent diplomatic maneuvers between the United States and Cuba, with MLB and the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) reportedly working to sort out the impact of changes in the nations’ relationship.

 

Moncada is perhaps the most intriguing player impacted by this news, but is presumably not the only one. Fellow middle infield prospect Andy Ibanez was also reportedly awaiting clarification of the new standards. The most immediate impact could be made by Hector Olivera, a veteran standout who figures to join an MLB roster in the near-term but who is still waiting to be declared a free agent, as Ben Badler of Baseball America notes. And the new system will clear a significant roadblock from the way of other Cuban players who can establish residency in a third country en route to the big leagues.

 

Unlike the 29-year-old Olivera, Moncada and Ibanez do not qualify for exemption from MLB’s international bonus pool system. Accordingly, the winning team will be forced to pay a 100% penalty tax on the amount by which it exceeds its pool allotment — which, if expectations prove correct, could be quite a substantial sum.

[G-Snarls]

It must be embarrassing to run a country that everyone wants to flee from

[KingKat]

It must be embarrassing to run a country that everyone wants to flee from

 

Not everyone is an elite athlete. We've yet to come out with a really good formula to create equal opportunity in life. Sometimes it seems like the only way to make people equal is to make them equally opressed and that's a really sad outcome for a really noble goal.

[mynameispepe]

It must be embarrassing to run a country that everyone wants to flee from

 

Although it's true that many Cubans want to leave the country for better opportunities (not unlike ever other 3rd world country), in the case of baseball players it's not only a government issue. Even if these players were allowed to play in the MLB by Cuban authorities, due to US laws (the embargo) they cannot play in the majors unless they have established residency in another country.

[TwistedLogic]

With MLB Rule Change, Yoan Moncada Cleared To Sign

 

http://i.gyazo.com/d2e774f81f2141775e4a0770a4250a35.png

[Spanky99]

If true can he sign in this year's IFA period??? Or will he have to wait for next year?

 

Next year, he doesn't have enough time to go through the process.

[Spanky99]

based on age, he may be treated like a UFA

 

When he turns 24, yes.

[NorthOf49]

It must be embarrassing to run a country that everyone wants to flee from

Can you un-ban our pal King? He wants to discuss the big game tonight.

[fatcowxlive]

Can you un-ban our pal King? He wants to discuss the big game tonight.

 

Yeah unban the poor kid. I know he's been really over presistant the past week but I don't think it warranted a 2nd ban (a week long ban at that). I think this case should be reviewed to see if King actually is breaking rules or if it is something personal between him and o2

 

Actually I think bans should be handed down after a review by at least one or two more mods in general, apart from obvious spam accounts.

[L54]

o2 should not have banning privellages.

[fatcowxlive]

o2 should not have banning privellages.

 

Nah he's done well as a moderator, from what I can recall this is the only questionable banning he's done, let's not be too harsh on him

[Mikeleelop]

When he turns 24, yes.

 

Or 3 years in their league?

 

I think it's an or condition?

[Spanky99]

Or 3 years in their league?

 

I think it's an or condition?

 

It is, I believe it's much longer than 3 years though, 5 or 6 I think???

[Angrioter]

Jesse Sanchez

Research: RHP prospect Yasiel Sierra's 1st year in Cuba's Serie Nacional was 2010-11. He will not be subject to int'l signing guidelines.

[SexyNewForum]

bring back the king