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Post by kinsm on Feb 4, 2015 3:41:58 GMT -5
The "tax" that will be assigned to Moncada will be due to mlb front office immediately.
Not many clubs sitting on 30$-50$ million to pay a signing bonus and an additional 30$-50$ million to pay an immediate tax. If the signing club is not a major market club expect the signing bonus to be spread out over many years.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 4, 2015 7:32:09 GMT -5
Series getting a little desperate for Cuba...
Cuba Still Winless in Caribbean Series Associated Press, 2/3/2015
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Willy Garcia hit a two-run homer and the Dominican Republic beat Cuba 6-1 in the Caribbean Series on Tuesday.
Cuba (0-2) returned to the Caribbean Series in 2014 after a 53-year absence, going 1-3 last year in Venezuela.
Garcia homered in the sixth inning off reliever Jonder Martinez in the tournament opener for the Dominican Republic. The 22-year-old outfielder had three hits, including a double.
Dominican Republic starter Rafael Perez (1-0) pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings. The Texas Rangers righty allowed six hits and struck out one, with no walks. Cuba starter Norge Luis Perez (0-1) allowed three runs and nine hits.
"It was a very close game until the sixth inning," Cuba manager Alfonso Urquiola said. "After that it was just one-sided."
Dominican Republic is represented by the Cibao Giants, who won the Dominican winter league for the first time and made their debut in the regional tournament. Cuban league champion Pinar del Rio strengthened its squad with some of the country's top players, including national team stars Yulieski Gourriel, Alfredo Despaigne and Frederich Cepeda.
Mexico (2-0) beat Puerto Rico (0-2) in the second game 3-2. Leon Maxwell had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Puerto Rico plays Cuba on Wednesday.
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Post by redsfanman on Feb 4, 2015 10:34:50 GMT -5
C. Trent Rosecrans @ctrent · 17h 17 hours ago #Reds have lusted after Moncada for a while, but will likely be outside their price range
------ I hope the Reds can sign Yoan Moncada. Obviously there are financial concerns - he'll be really expensive, and he'll exceed the Reds' bonus pool for international signings. Many seem to project that he'll immediately become one of the top 10 prospects in MLB.
I think it's easy to look at Cuban outfielders like Rusney Castillo and Yasmany Tomas and say 'hey, if the Reds weren't interested in them they definitely won't be interested in Moncada'... same with 1b Jose Abreu. It seems important to recognize that the Reds already have a 1b signed long term, and most of their hitting prospects (or young position players on the roster) are OFs. Yoan Moncada plays 2b and 3b, positions in which the Reds have almost no depth. It's basically Eugenio Suarez, Alex Blandino, and some guys who may be able to hold down a utility spot some day (and those two prospects may fall into that category). Moncada would immediately become a (or THE) top prospect in the Reds' organization, while addressing an organization weakness.
With Phillips signed through 2017 and untradeable I'd look at signing Moncada, send him to the minors as a thirdbaseman, then trading Todd Frazier when Moncada is ready for a promotion. Signing Moncada would be expensive, but so would extending Frazier. Maybe that Frazier trade would be later in 2015, along with Cueto and Leake. Maybe it'd wait until 2016, so Moncada and Winker can compete for Rookie of the Year.
Signing Moncada would eliminate any possibility of extending Cueto, Leake, or Chapman, but I've thought such extensions are extremely unlikely anyway, with the Reds' depth of pitching prospects who are nearing call-ups.
So, that's my plan. Hopefully the Reds pull off another surprise Cuban signing, like they did with Chapman and Iglesias. It's definitely not a win-now move like signing James Shield, but I think it'd be a smart long term move.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 4, 2015 18:25:37 GMT -5
Gutierrez, Moreira Leave Cuba's Team Associated Press, 2/4/2015
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Two Cuban baseball players in Puerto Rico for the Caribbean Series apparently have abandoned their team mid-tournament, Cuba's team said Wednesday.
The missing players were identified as 19-year-old pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez and 29-year-old shortstop Dainer Moreira. Gutierrez had not yet played in the series, while Moreira batted in Cuba's only run against the Dominican Republic.
Cuba was scheduled to play against Puerto Rico on Wednesday night after losing its first two games against the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
The players' apparent decision to abandon their team to stay on American soil comes amid moves to improve U.S.-Cuba relations, with the MLB on Tuesday eliminating its requirement that Cuban players obtain a license from the U.S. government before they are eligible to sign with big league teams.
"That decision is a betrayal to the revolution, to their family, to their homeland. It's an exchange of shame for money," Jorge Polo, vice president of Cuba's National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation, said in a statement published by Cuba's state media.
Juan Francisco Puello, commissioner of the Caribbean Confederation of Professional Baseball, said in a statement that the confederation will not get involved.
"This is a private matter," he said. "They are under no obligation to report anything to us."
Some Cuban athletes have previously used international competitions as an opportunity to stay behind. Puerto Rico is an American territory, and Cubans who make it to the island generally can apply for legal U.S. residency.
If they stay in Puerto Rico, the players would be subject to baseball's amateur draft and their rights would be controlled by one major league team. But if they establish residence outside the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada, they can be free agents and get more lucrative contract offers.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 5, 2015 8:03:13 GMT -5
Cuba Beats Puerto Rico in 10th Inning Associated Press, 2/5/2015
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Cuba beat Puerto Rico 3-2 in 10 innings Wednesday night for its first victory in the Caribbean Series.
The win came a day after two Cuban players apparently left the team, which lost to Mexico and the Dominican Republic earlier this week. This is Cuba's second appearance at the Caribbean Series in more than five decades.
Center fielder Roel Santos got the decisive hit for Cuba in the 10th inning.
Cuba plays Venezuela on Thursday, and Puerto Rico faces the Dominican Republic on Friday.
The missing Cuban players were identified as 19-year-old pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez and 29-year-old shortstop Dainer Moreira. Gutierrez had not yet played in the series. Moreira drove in Cuba's only run against the Dominican Republic.
Earlier on Wednesday, Venezuela beat the Dominican Republic 6-5 to reach the semifinals of the tournament. Niuman Romero homered and Oscar Salazar knocked in two runs.
Venezuela (2-0) joined Mexico (2-0) in the next round.
Romero hit a solo shot in the second inning off Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Pimentel (0-1), who allowed two runs and three hits in two innings. Venezuela chased starter Edward Valdez after two outs with four runs in the first inning.
Venezuela starter Yeiper Castillo allowed four runs, three earned, and three hits in 1 1-3 innings. The rightly struck out one and walked two.
Chicago White Sox minor leaguer Leury Garcia went 3 for 3 with a walk, scoring two runs and driving in one for the Dominican Republic (1-1).
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 5, 2015 10:21:40 GMT -5
Aroldis Chapman Watches Cuba in Caribbean Series C. Trent Rosecrans, Enquirer, 2/5/2015
Reds closer Aroldis Chapman caught up with his old Cuban teammates on Wednesday at the Caribbean World Series.
MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez found Chapman in the stands during Wednesday night's Cuba-Puerto Rico game.
"I was nearby and I wanted to see the Cuban team. It's been years since I had seen them," Chapman told Sanchez, while sitting a few rows behind Cuba's dugout. "I'm really happy to be here. That was the team that I played with and that brings back a lot of good memories of my days on the national team. I'm watching different guys that I used to play with."
Chapman left the Cuban team in 2009 while the team was in the Netherlands. Two Cuban players left the team on Tuesday, shortstop Dainer Moreira and right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez.
Cuba won its first game in this year's Caribbean Series with Chapman in the stands, defeating Puerto Rico 3-2 in 10 innings. One of Chapman's current teammates with the Reds, Puerto Rico's Neftali Soto was 2 for 3 with an RBI in the game and is hitting .455 (5 for 11) in three games during the series.
The other Reds player in the series, Felix Perez, is 0 for 7, in two games so far this series. Perez, who is from Cuba like Chapman, is playing for Venezuela.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 5, 2015 18:31:24 GMT -5
Cubans beaten badly in this Series for the second year in a row. Suddenly, their return to the competition has become the Astros offering to return to the NL Central...
Undefeated Venezuela Beats Cuba Associated Press, 2/5/2015
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Balbino Fuenmayor homered and drove in two runs, Cesar Valdez pitched seven solid innings and Venezuela beat Cuba 6-2 in the Caribbean Series on Thursday.
Cuba (1-3) finished its first-round schedule and will need help from other teams to reach the semifinals. Venezuela (3-0) and Mexico (2-0) have already advanced.
Fuenmayor, a 25-year old former Blue Jays minor leaguer, hit a solo shot off reliever Livan Moinelo in the sixth. He added an RBI single in a four-run third inning. Cuban starter Yoanni Yera (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Valdez (1-0) allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out eight.
Cuba scored both runs on solo homers by Alexander Malleta in the first and Luis Valdes in the seventh.
Mexico faces the Dominican Republic (1-1) in the late game. Puerto Rico (0-3) has the day off.
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Post by kinsm on Feb 5, 2015 23:39:30 GMT -5
www.fangraphs.com/blogs/fangraphs-crowd-yoan-moncadas-contract/#comment-4939574(Note: the figures below do not include the 100% tax to which Moncada’s signing club will be subject.) Here’s the median figure as projected by the crowd: $45.0 million. And here’s the average figure: $43.3 million. The crowd regards the New York Yankees as the most likely destination for Moncada, with roughly 48% of respondents guessing that he’ll end up with that club. The Dodgers finished second with 22% and the Red Sox finished third with 8%.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 6, 2015 11:32:11 GMT -5
Still twitching, Cuba backs into the CS semifinals...
Dominicans Edge Mexico with 2 in 9th Updated: February 6, 2015, 12:50 AM ET Associated Press, 2/6/2015
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Elian Herrera got the game-winning hit and the Dominican Republic rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Mexico 3-2 on Thursday night in the Caribbean Series.
The victory by the Dominican Republic (2-1) eliminated host Puerto Rico from the tournament and helped Cuba (1-3) advance to the semifinals.
Mexico (2-1) and Venezuela (3-0) also have advanced.
Venezuela beat Cuba 6-2 earlier Thursday. Balbino Fuenmayor homered and drove in two runs, and Cesar Valdez pitched seven solid innings.
Fuenmayor, a 25-year-old former Blue Jays minor leaguer, hit a solo shot off reliever Livan Moinelo in the sixth. He added an RBI single in a four-run third inning. Cuban starter Yoanni Yera (0-1) allowed four runs and six hits in 2 1-3 innings.
Valdez (1-0) allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out eight.
Cuba (1-3) scored on solo homers by Alexander Malleta in the first and Luis Valdes in the seventh.
Puerto Rico (0-3) had the day off Thursday and will play the Dominican Republic on Friday.
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Post by psuhistory on Feb 6, 2015 18:40:59 GMT -5
New feature at Baseball Reference... www.sports-reference.com/blog/2015/02/cuban-stats-added-to-baseball-reference/Cuban Stats Added to Baseball ReferenceMike Lynch, Sports Reference Blog, 2/5/2015 We are happy to announce that we have added Cuban National Series statistics from 1997-98 to 2013-14 thanks to the efforts of Brian Cartwright. First things first, though. You should go ahead and gawk at Jose Abreu's Cuban stats. That's right, he hit .453 in 2010 with 1.583 OPS. Those both led the league, but his 33 HR merely tied Yoenis Cespedes for first. These statistics can be navigated to via our Minor Leagues section here. Once in the minors section, look for Foreign leagues and select Cuban National Series. You can select a season and access batting leaders & pitching leaders from there. Alternately, if you just want to find Cuban stats for an MLB player like Yasiel Puig, just go to the Minors tab from his player page. Or you can use the search form to go right to the page of a hot prospect like Yoan Moncada. On a player's minor league stats page, the Cuban statistics will show up with the league abbreviation CNS like in the image of Erisbel Arruebarrena's page below.
We hope you enjoy this new feature. We would also like to note that we will be adding statistics from the current season once is it completed.
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Post by kinsm on Feb 6, 2015 20:01:41 GMT -5
They've also added Arizona Fall League stats to minor league pages.
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Post by redsfanman on Feb 6, 2015 22:21:29 GMT -5
Reds express interest in Viciedo John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com 6:03 p.m. EST February 6, 2015
The Reds are interested free agent Dayan Viciedo.The Chicago White Sox released Viciedo this week after designating him for assignment. Viciedo hit .231/.281/.405 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI for the Chicago White Sox in 2014. He's played first base, third base and outfield in his five-year big league career.
His best year was 2012 when he hit .255/.300/.444 with 25 home runs and 78 RBI.
Viciedo, a 25-year-old Cuban, signed with the White Sox in 2008. He has 3.1 years service time, so the club that signs him will control him for three years.
"We inquired about him," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "I don't know how far it will go. We're looking at where we would play him."
----------------------- MLBTradeRumors' take on his availability:
Dayan Viciedo: Released by the White Sox earlier this week, Viciedo has the most team control remaining of anyone on this list. With just three years, 123 days of service under his belt, the 25-year-old could be controlled through the 2017 season, in theory. He’d likely need to tap into some of the to-date dormant potential that made him such a high-profile signing in the first place, but the powerful Cuban isn’t without his value. He’s a lifetime .291/.331/.507 hitter against lefties and could, at the very least, be a serviceable source of power off a team’s bench.
---------------------- He's a Cuban. Even though Viciedo is now a free agent I think it's really unlikely that he signs with the Reds, though.
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Post by redsfanman on Feb 7, 2015 11:19:02 GMT -5
Reds Interested In Dayan ViciedoBy Charlie Wilmoth [February 7, 2015 at 9:07am CST] The Reds have at least some interest in outfielder Dayan Viciedo, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The White Sox requested release waivers on Viciedo earlier this week. “We inquired about him,” says Reds GM Walt Jocketty. “I don’t know how far it will go. We’re looking at where we would play him.” As Paul Swydan of Fangraphs noted yesterday, Viciedo would make some sense as a potential fit for the Reds, who lack bench players with offensive ability. Light-hitting utilityman Skip Schumaker currently projects as the Reds’ fourth outfielder. Although players like Kristopher Negron and Donald Lutz might be able to help somewhat in case of an injury to one of their starting outfielders, the Reds can clearly use a better, or at least an additional, contingency plan. The 25-year-old Viciedo has significant flaws, of course. He hit just .231/.281/.405 in 2014, not a good showing given his poor defense. The righty does, however, have big-league power, with 21 homers last season, and he has youth on his side. --------------------- www.fangraphs.com/blogs/finding-a-place-for-dayan-viciedo/--------------------- Unfortunately articles I read about him last night seemed to allege that he's such a poor defensive outfielder that he gives up lots of homeruns, in addition to hitting them. A power righty who only hits LHPs. Low OBP. Some experience at 1b and 3b, but he's even worse there than in the outfield. Belongs at DH. Sounds to me a little like Wily Mo pena. Boesch (L) and Viciedo (R) would make an interesting 4th and 5th outfielder combo, but that'd leave the Reds without a backup CF. Instead Viciedo would probably cost Boesch (and Lutz) a job, to work with Skip Schumaker. The Reds are probably better off with internal options. If they want a raw skills guy who can't hit they can call up the more versatile Yorman Rodriguez later in the season, who can at least play the outfield and throw the ball.
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Post by redsfanman on Feb 7, 2015 13:24:04 GMT -5
MLBTradeRumors' Viciedo update: Jocketty downplayed the likelihood of Viciedo ending up in Cincinnati when asked by MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon (Twitter link). While the GM again acknowledged that the Reds inquired on the slugger, he told Sheldon that Viciedo is looking for more playing time than the Reds can offer.
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Post by Lark11 on Feb 7, 2015 13:54:54 GMT -5
MLBTradeRumors' Viciedo update: Jocketty downplayed the likelihood of Viciedo ending up in Cincinnati when asked by MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon (Twitter link). While the GM again acknowledged that the Reds inquired on the slugger, he told Sheldon that Viciedo is looking for more playing time than the Reds can offer.
Is it at all fair or reasonable to wonder whether Viciedo is the better option and value than Marlon Byrd? Byrd hit .264/.312/.445 last year, Viciedo hit .231/.281/.405. Byrd is set to make $8M this year with a team option for $8M for 2016. Viciedo made $2.8M last year and, obviously, his 2015 salary is yet to be determined. Byrd is going to be 37/38 years old during the 2015 season. Viciedo is going to be 26 during the 2015 season. Byrd, for whatever it's worth, also has an IPED history, so a second positive test would wipe out almost all of a season. Byrd has the higher performance level, but also has risk in the form of age and IPEDs. Viciedo has a lower performance level, but youth and cost on his side. Given Viciedo's 2014 performance level and the Reds place on the win-curve, Byrd is likely the better option. Byrd is also more likely to decline, but that doesn't make me a Viciedo fan.
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