Cubano

You guys follow Fields more than I do. I got a question for you. Prior to his knee problems, was he good defensively or bad? If he was bad, I do not think 3 weeks with Cora would make a big difference. I have read he can not hit fastballs. You can not play in MLB if you can not hit the heat. Just remember, you are what you are. Players do not change much.

I am happy to read good reports about Viciedo. Still, he has to perform in games. I hope he can make the team and contribute somehow either at 3B, DH or RF. He has a potent arm.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Jan 27, 2009 -> 12:21 PM) I like this. Very well said Oswald! Get your shirt with the three letters in the front and kick some butts in the WBC.

Martinez has some temperament issues. The problem is that the league should have informed the Giants sooner that Martinez was suspended. Licey Tigers had the better pitching. Ubaldo Jimenez, Denny Bautista, Daniel Cabrera, Valerio de los Santos, Freddy Dolsi, Carlos Marmol, Carlos Perez, Felix Rodriguez, Erwin Santana, etc. The first game ended 2x1 I believe and the second 9x7 in favor of Licey. The incident happened at the end of the second game. I saw the second game and I can tell you that the umpire was really bad.

This was a joke. http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Jan 17, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) Just went online and got my spring training tickets -- hope to see the count there in phoenix. If you take any pictures of Cuban players and like to share them with me for my blog, I will be very grateful. I'll give credit off course.

Despite his big size, Contreras is a very humble person. I had spoken to several Cuban players such as him, Alexei, Kendry Morales and Juan Miranda. All of them were extremely humbled, but Contreras was the more friendlier of all. Kendry Morales came in a close second. I hope he can contribute this year and mentor young Dayan Viciedo if he makes the team. If anybody is interested in knowing why Jose Contreras is known as the Bronze Titan, you can read it here: http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/

http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/

Well, well, well. Many of you have written how much you like my posts and insight about Cuban players. I have declared myself a candidate and I need your vote now. In the spirit of change, we need to nominate a foreigner. I may sell my vote to the higher bidder. By the way, you Chicagoans are in the news a lot lately. Obama, the governor that wanted to sell a senate seat in Ebay, etc, etc, etc. What is going on over there? Ha, ha, ha. Just kidding!

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Jan 14, 2009 -> 01:38 PM) I am a lot more interested in watching Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Last time I was most interested in Japan after Iguchi and Shingo. Too bad Ramirez and Viciedo are not welcome to play for Cuba because of politics. I don't like the injury risk to players, but I am looking forward to some baseball. Injuries can happen in any game. WBC, Spring Training, etc.

I have the main thoughts on this interview with Yadel Marti and Yasser Gomez. http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jan 11, 2009 -> 08:52 PM) So Cubano, how many young Cubans are there right now who might defect within the next couple of years and be top prospects to MLB clubs? Baseball like any other sport is cyclical. I see now a lot of upcoming good prospects in Cuba. Pitchers and position players are coming through the pipeline. SS and 3B are the weakest positions now. Hey, we got three SS in MLB now (Yunel Escobar (Braves), Yuniesky Betancourt (Mariners) and Lexi. SS Jose Iglesias defected form the junior team in Canada though he played 2B because Waspsp SS prospect was the regular. We have two other SS prospect in the minors. If you go to my blog, you see my work on pitchers under 25. I am preparing one for the position players. http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/2009/...5-year-old.html

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 11, 2009 -> 11:26 PM) The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State don't work like that, UNFORTUNATELY. My wife is from Russia (we're separated) and she's still in the US waiting for her Adjustment of Status to be decided upon and it has been over 5 years since she came to the United States and 5 1/2 years since we got married. Nothing happens quickly with the US Government doing background/name checks at Dept. of State since 9/11. Granted, this is a different type of visa (than a spouse visa), but it's still not going to be moved along by bribery. I was referring to the Dominican government for their papers not the USA.

I doubt their papers will be ready b4 Spring Training. I doubt their papers will be ready b4 the season starts unless some money is handed behind the scenes. Marti should be Plan B getting into form in the minors if somebody does not do the job or gets injured.

Felix Perez not Fernando Perez. Marti is not the best Cuban pitcher. He can top 90 MPH, but he is a control pitcher. Smell new ChiSox! Cuban players are cheap. I dislike this fact. Several factors involved. The ChiSox have done more for Cubans than the Florida Marlins. What a shame! I can not stand those guys down there.

I thought the terrorists stroke Soxtalk. Good to be back with the Sox fans.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Jan 5, 2009 -> 12:30 PM) I like Pedro as a 50-100 ip starter. Nothing more. Sign el Duke too. Maybe between them we get 50 innings.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 4, 2009 -> 01:10 AM) Damn I almost forgot about Mr. Gourriel. Ya, Chapman, Garcia, and Roibal (and to a lesser extent.. Lahara and Sanchez) look like something to keep an eye on. But Gourriel... I am finishing one for the position players. Gourriel is having a monster season. He is the BA leader now and is second in homers. I guess he is mad because in Beijing he batted into double play to end the game with the bases loaded vs Korea in the gold medal game. Cuba lost 3x2.

QUOTE (Sec101Row1 @ Jan 3, 2009 -> 11:38 PM) 1. Holguín Hounds LHP Aroldis Chapman (21 year old) 102 MPH GAS !!! I think we can find a spot for this lefty in the pen right away. Someone call Kenny. He is special. Somehow, they left him out of Beijing. Hopefully, we will see him in the WBC # 2. There was a rumor before Beijing that he was caught in one of the Holguin beaches with a group of people. This seemed suspicious to the Cuban government and left him off the team. I think this was just a rumor because he is playing now.

Some of these guys may leave Cuba any given day. I thought some of you may be inclined to know about them. There are some in that list that can jump to the big leagues right now. http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/

Viciedo interview with ESPN Deportes: http://www.cubaencuentro.com/es/multimedia...-su-trayectoria He began playing at age 7. He is happy with the White Sox because they showed interest in him and also because Alexei and Contreras.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 30, 2008 -> 01:16 AM) Cubano, do you have any kind of update on 20-year old CFer Felix Perez? Nope! Probably, he has to wait longer for his legal papers because he has no name nor a Dominican wife like Alexei. I am more interested in LHP Noel Arguelles (94 MPH) who defected in Canada with the junior Cuban team. If I am KW, I go after him first.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Dec 30, 2008 -> 09:52 AM) Any thoughts on the pitcher Cubano? Greg Maddux type stuff. He can reach 90 MPH. His range is 87-90 MPH. He is crafty and has good control. 4th or 5th starter. He is approaching 30 and he is coming back from some injuries due to overuse. I think he can still make it to MLB. He needs his legal papers first. Probably, he has to start in the minors in 2009 or sit out the whole year to wait for team budgets and plans in 2010 unless his agents ca get leagl papers and USA clearance soon.

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ Dec 29, 2008 -> 05:16 PM) Could Gomez possibly be lead-off material? No. He does not steal bases. He is a contact hitter with no HR power. He would be a good hitter at the 2 spot. I just think he will have a tough time reaching MLB at this point. It is my personal opinion.

He arrived in Mexico and is planning a comeback with the Twins. http://purobeisbol.com.mx/content/view/363/