Cubano

QUOTE (Jake @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 07:02 PM) As I try to speak spanish, I'm more limited by lack of vocabulary than anything else. I understand enough grammar to communicate clearly, but oftentimes don't know enough spanish words to describe what I'm trying to talk about. It is easier on the internet when a dictionary is available. Watch Fox baseball in Spanish! Watch Spanish cartoons! Press audio button http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_alphabet

The thing about me is that I think faster than I type. I make the mistakes. Then, I realize I made them after I have published my comment.

QUOTE (Jake @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 06:08 PM) Cubano, if you'd like to speak in spanish I'm in my fourth year of learning spanish and can try to help translate to the other posters. Also, what's the word on Viciedo? By this I mean how does he play? I saw a little about his fielding, but what about his offense? Does he project to be a big leaguer soon? Thank, Jake. I can post in English. Somedays you wake up and can't speak it or write it and other days I can be better than presient Bush.

Omar Linares is now the hitting coach for Industriales Lions, one of the team from Havana City. He is from Pinar del Rio. Usually, cuban players and coaches play and manage for their hometown team. Luis Giraldo Casanova, one of the greatest cuban players post-1959 will manage the Pinar del Rio Green Sox. After Casanova retired, he went away from baseball. I believe it has been around 18 years that Casanova was not working in baseball. He is the favorite player of Jose Contreras. Casanova was right fielder with a cannon for an arm. His nickname was "el Señor Pelotero"( Mr. Baseball).

QUOTE (scenario @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 10:45 AM) I think the players will be influenced by the agent... who happens to have a great relationship with the Sox. And I think they will be highly influenced by Alexei's situation.... the fact the Sox gave him a chance to play at the major league level right away. Add in that the Sox already have Cuban players on the team to help ease the new guys transition. I think it adds up to us being a serious contender for these guys. Bingo! Cuban players and their agents are beginning to understand that many times is better to take less money upfront and play right away in the big leagues than taking big money from the big market teams which send them to the minors. Yuniesky Betancourt and Alexei Ramirez signed with teams that allowed them to play in the big leagues quickly. Betancourt already sign a big extension. If Betancourt would had signed with the Yanks, he would be still in the minors. Do not count the Sox out! They have inside info about this cuban players from Contreras and Alexei not to say the same agent.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 09:30 AM) You won't get banned. This is actually a really good topic for the Filibuster, although I can't recall ever seeing you post outside Pale Hose Talk. Where is Filibuster? I rather stay on Pale House than exploring other threads.

Texsox: I can infer you like politics. I do not want to get ban here. The reason mexicans are targeted are various. One is the great numbers of mexicans that come to the USA. At the beginning of the cuban wave in the early 60's and 70's, the Jews and white americans in South Florida saw it as a bad thing. I bet you that if 10 million cubans enter Mexico now and live in the same area in Mexico many mexicans will protest. Another reason mexicans are targeted is because the gangs and drug issues in Mexico. Colombia is far away from the USA and we do not have many colombians coming to the USA. However, Mexico is next to the USA. Many mexicans are hard workers, but many also come and create problems in the USA. Then, all mexicans pay the price. Every week you read something bad about mexicans mafia in Mexico and americans do not want the same thing hapen in here. Another thing is that the most visible mexicans are the ones working in construction, lawn movers, etc. These guys usually travel together before and after jobs. Everytime you see many men together people think gang, trouble, first. In addition, USA-Mexico history has been a rocky one. Americans also do not mind peolple from Asia such as Korea, India, etc. One thing I never understood about mexicans is the following. You guys take issues with USA immigration policies against mexicans. However, Mexico immigration policies are the same or worst for Hondurans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, etc. Cubans usually can get by Mexico on their way to the USA, but you guys put us in jail many times unders not so good conditions. Every country has the right to control who enters their country. Mexico has the right to control immigration as well as the USA. Shame on the cubans for allowing Castro to gain power. I am not blaming only the cubans for Castro because the USA also has some blame in here.

The Revolution is dead. 80 % of the cubans want out. That system does not work. It is broken. Not only baseball players are defecting, but also basketball, handball, volleyball, track and field, judo, boxers, soccer, etc players are leaving for Europe, USA and Latin America countries. There is even a track and field woman that left for Sudan. Yes, that is right SUDAN, one of the last place on earth to live. The regular cubans like me are trying to leave too. I am glad I took the first opportunity and packed. Thank USA for being so kind to me and my fellow cubans.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 8, 2008 -> 10:12 PM) It hasn't paid off yet for us in Venezuela...but there's hope yet. I think some fans thought Ozzie would magically be able to get Miggy Cabrera here by waving a magic wand. I do think his being a Spanish manager has led to some problems/confrontations with O-Cabrera. On the other hand, he's been a very good influence with Jose, Contreras has felt much more comfortable here than in NYC (also because of El Duque) and he also seems to have a great relationship with Alexei Ramirez (but that's more because of the way he plays the game, IMO, than his language). We'll see what happens if they get a Venezuelan. KW targeted Omar Vizquel for 2-3 off-seasons. I also think it's interesting that some of the players who were no longer wanted/had a falling out with the Sox were two of our best Latin players, Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez. Everyone liked and got along well with Jose Valentin...who was the kind of leader that O-Cabrera never became with this club. That said, it's not like NCAA basketball or football where this gives one a huge advantage...he's not an African-American coach like Jimmy Collins mining gold from the Chicago Public League. A player needs to gain confidence from his manager. I take Angels 1B/outfielder Kendry Morales. He put better numbers than Casey Kotchman in the minors and in winter ball. He is a switch hitter with some power. He has been confined to the minors ahead of Kotchman, Juan Rivera and Rob Quinlan. When he hit in the big league level, he is benched right away. He has been sent to the minors for the last two years. Then he is called up and he is put in the playoffs roster. Believe me! I follow these guys closely. Hopefully, next year Kendry will be in the team the whole year as a regular.

There are better baseball players in Cuba than Anderson. The problem with Anderson is that he plays for a bad team and has little protection in the lineup.

I think having a Spanish speaking manager may be a big plus for the ChiSox. Communication and rapport is very important between a player specially a new player and the manager.

My English is getting worse. What are the scouts saying about free agent cuban defectors?

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1615 Where is Kenny Williams?

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Oct 3, 2008 -> 09:38 AM) Fine with me. Cubano, are all of these players represented by Jaime Torres? Because he's Alexei's and Contreras's agent IIRC, so I imagine the Sox would have a pretty good relationship with him. And after the success that Alexei has had this season, they should be all over this. Where does the best prospect (the 3B/RF guy) compare to Ramirez when he left Cuba FWIW Cubano? Dayan Viciedo, Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias are with puertorrican agent Torres (Contreras's and Alexei's agent). I imagine the other Arguelles will be with Torres too. Juan Carlos Moreno is with a dominican agent. Having a good agent opens many doors. I would no sign all of them. Let me take this back. I would not throw millions to all of them. If I can sign Moreno for a bargain, yes. Not all will make it to the majors. I let the other teams make mistakes and overpaid them, but I go after the best ones like Viciedo. Viciedo used to play for the Villa Clara Orange. He has been in the cuban playoffs and international tournament. Therefore, he is tested like Alexei. Villa Clara Orange, Pinar del Rio Green Sox, Industriales Lions and Santiago de Cuba Wasps are the most storied teams in Cuba.

If I were Kenny Williams, I go after 3B/RF Dayan Viciedo (19-20 years old). He got good pop and you know he is ahead of most 19-20 years old. He got good arm. He used to throw 90+ MPH as a pitcher in the juniors. I think he can play in the majors next season. I go after LHP Noel Arguelles ( 19-20 years old) to help the Sox in 2 years down the road. Do not rush him? I take a look at Juan Carlos Moreno for an utility roll next season if he shows something in the tryouts. If he can still hit (swing velocity), I let him play SS and keep Alexei at 2B if the Sox can not sign anybody else. He is a veteran. I would take a close look at SS Jose Iglesias (19-20 years old). The problem with Viciedo is that he still growing. Maybe 3B will be to much for him. He may become a 1B though because Dye and Quentin are good. Didn't Dye sign an extension a year ago? Viciedo has the best talent/reward combination among these guys. The upside for Noel Arguelles is good.

2B/SS/CF Yosmani Guerra and pitcher Ángel Oscar Argüelles. Guerra is a contact hitter and he is very fast. he is a better 2B than SS. Ángel Oscar Argüelles is the brother of LHP Noel Argüelles who defceted this year in Canada while playing with the cuban junior team. Ángel Oscar Argüelles should be very young and according to some reports, he is very tall. Cuban players trying to sign contracts now: 3B/outfielder Dayan Viciedo one of the best prospects in cuban baseball SS Juan Carlos Moreno gold glover in Cuba LHP Noel Areguelles who throws 90 + and is tall and has long arms SS Jose Iglesias who defected in Canada too while with the junior team. He is a contact hitter and is good with the glove. Another junior pitcher defected in Canada but I forgot his name.

How about Biden running his mouth? Why the liberal communist media in the USA does not make this a big issue? They are just attacking Palin. She is not qualified, but Obama is not qualified either and Biden is another mooron. McCain is the best in this group but he is older than an Egyptian pyramid. Biden's moment: Biden was speaking about the role of the White House in a financial crisis. "When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the princes of greed. " He said, 'Look, here's what happened.'" In 1929, President Hoover was in the White House not Roosevelt.

Bases loaded and one out. Juan Uribe struckout and Orlando Cabrera struckout. This is where we lost this game besides Javy Vazquez crapiness. Cabrera should not show off, then strikeout like a chicken.

We are in!

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 30, 2008 -> 04:23 PM) There's one more thing to like about Alexei. I was watching some you tube clip from Cuba and saw he wore #2. Nellie Fox was a great White Sox 2nd baseman who wore #2 . He wears now number 10. I think he chose number 10 because the greates cuban player post 1959 use to wear that number. He was from Pinar del Rio too and played 3B. His name is Omar Linares. Linares always attracted the atention of scouts every time the cuban national team played internationally.

Thanks, Bmags.

OK, guys. Who in this forum took this video?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Sep 30, 2008 -> 02:20 PM) Longoria is the better player in close and late situations. According to the Stats, I take Alexei. It is true that Longoria has been better late and close, but Alexei has been better in the other two categories. Average with runners in scoring position. Rank Player Team Average (hits/VB) 1 David DeJesus KC .419 ( 44/105 ) 2 Ian Kinsler Tex .413 ( 45/109 ) 3 Casey Blake LAD .393 ( 33/84 ) 4 Shin-Soo Choo Cle .386 ( 32/83 ) 5 Alexei Ramirez CWS .380 ( 41/108 ) 6 Kevin Youkilis Bos .374 ( 55/147 ) 7 Joe Mauer Min .362 ( 50/138 ) 8 Melvin Mora Bal .360 ( 54/150 ) 9 Justin Morneau Min .348 ( 63/181 ) 10 Denard Span Min .346 ( 28/81 ) 11 Garret Anderson LAA .338 ( 44/130 ) 12 Hideki Matsui NYY .337 ( 29/86 ) 13 David Ortiz Bos .336 ( 43/128 ) 14 Johnny Damon NYY .333 ( 36/108 ) 15 Ryan Sweeney Oak .330 ( 32/97 ) 16 Raul Ibanez Sea .327 ( 56/171 ) 17 Billy Butler KC .327 ( 33/101 ) 18 Vladimir Guerrero LAA .321 ( 42/131 ) 19 Aubrey Huff Bal .320 ( 49/153 ) 20 Derek Jeter NYY .317 ( 44/139 ) Batting average late and close Rank Player Team Average 1 Mike Lowell Bos .391 ( 25/64 ) 2 Milton Bradley Tex .380 ( 19/50 ) 3 Garret Anderson LAA .371 ( 33/89 ) 4 Dustin Pedroia Bos .368 ( 35/95 ) 5 Bobby Abreu NYY .361 ( 30/83 ) 6 Carlos Quentin CWS .351 ( 26/74 ) 7 Vladimir Guerrero LAA .350 ( 28/80 ) 8t Maicer Izturis LAA .348 ( 16/46 ) 8t Hideki Matsui NYY .348 ( 16/46 ) 10 Gary Sheffield Det .339 ( 20/59 ) 11 Carlos Pena TB .338 ( 27/80 ) 12t Jose Lopez Sea .333 ( 36/108 ) 12t Akinori Iwamura TB .333 ( 28/84 ) 12t Evan Longoria TB .333 ( 19/57 ) 15 Curtis Granderson Det .329 ( 24/73 ) 16 Derek Jeter NYY .324 ( 24/74 ) 17 Nick Punto Min .323 ( 20/62 ) 18 Melvin Mora Bal .322 ( 28/87 ) 19 Joe Mauer Min .321 ( 27/84 ) 20t Jason Kubel Min .316 ( 25/79 ) 20t Alexei Ramirez CWS .316 ( 25/79 ) Batting Average with the bases loaded Rank Player Team Average 1 Jay Payton Bal .636 ( 7/11 ) 2 Casey Blake LAD .600 ( 6/10 ) 3 David DeJesus KC .556 ( 5/9 ) 4t Dustin Pedroia Bos .500 ( 8/16 ) 4t Jason Kubel Min .500 ( 7/14 ) 4t Erick Aybar LAA .500 ( 5/10 ) 4t Akinori Iwamura TB .500 ( 4/8 ) 4t Carlos Quentin CWS .500 ( 4/8 ) 4t J.D. Drew Bos .500 ( 3/6 ) 4t Denard Span Min .500 ( 3/6 ) 11 Alexei Ramirez CWS .471 ( 8/17 ) 12 Edgar Renteria Det .462 ( 6/13 ) 13t Bobby Abreu NYY .444 ( 8/18 ) 13t Adrian Beltre Sea .444 ( 4/9 ) 13t Shin-Soo Choo Cle .444 ( 4/9 ) 13t Maicer Izturis LAA .444 ( 4/9 ) 17t Miguel Cabrera Det .438 ( 7/16 ) 17t Joe Inglett Tor .438 ( 7/16 ) 19t Dioner Navarro TB .429 ( 6/14 ) 19t Jack Hannahan Oak .429 ( 3/7 ) 19t Matt Stairs Phi .429 ( 3/7 )

QUOTE (scenario @ Sep 30, 2008 -> 10:30 AM) Too bad bureauemployee isn't around. I'd like to hear him explain how his scouting analysis last winter missed on Alexei. Profiles to be nothing more than a utility guy... the next Omar Infante, eh? (good natured ribbing intended) Wise words! Scouts can say all they want, but your job on the field has the last word. I remember Ozzie saying at the beginning of ST when he saw Alexei for the first time: "Who is this kid from Ethiopia" I knew Alexei has deceiving power and would surprise many. Alexei may be the best 7th hitter in MLB. His numbers are also better than some 4th, 5th and 6th hitters.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Sep 30, 2008 -> 10:22 AM) Scary to think that both Alexei and CQ almost started the season in AAA. It would have been a monumental mistake.