Lets hope he is the best player out of Cuba ever.

BOOYEAH!

I really don't know anything about the guy, but it's a move that fits with KW's MO.

Finally, a move. B)

 

English

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3165277

Espanol

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story...&type=story

Edited December 21, 200718 yr by santo=dorf

Holy (*^$(*^$#@

 

Glad to see we made a serious move, but... 4 years?!

 

Any report on the $$$$?

 

So what does he play for us 2b or OF or both?

I assume he will start in the Minors first.

Link, legit

The Chicago White Sox and Cuban exile Alexei Ramírez have agreed to a four-year contract, pending a physical exam, according to a source who spoke to ESPNdeportes.com on condition of anonymity.

 

"Alexei got a good deal and he'll be looking for a starting roster spot during spring training with the White Sox," said the source. "He can play multiple positions, so his chances are good."

 

The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

 

Ramírez can play the outfield and some infield positions. He had collective workout sessions for scouts who work in the Dominican Republic. He also had individual sessions for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics and the White Sox, the source said.

 

Ramírez was the home run leader in the Cuban baseball league last season, but he defected from the island and established residence in the Dominican Republic in November to try and make the jump to Major League Baseball.

 

Ramírez hit .332 with 87 home runs and 391 RBIs in seven seasons in Cuba with Pinar del Río. In 2006, he hit .335 with 68 RBIs and led the league with 20 homers.

Edited December 21, 200718 yr by Balta1701

We can call him A-Ram-Rod. That's a sweet nickname.

The agent connection pays off, apparently. Thanks JC.

If the money is right, I am a very happy camper.

 

This is a good move, right? We didn't have to give up anyone for Coco Crisp or Pierre, didn't have to go the Lofton route, and get a nice presumably-young player who will help out this year and beyond. If he needs time in the minors, sticking BA, Sweeney or Owens in CF isn't the end of the world. Plus, Ramirez offers insurance for Richar and a nice option once O-Cab leaves next year (if his ability to play 2B and SS is true). Now ... doesn't anyone have any projections?

 

God, I hope he's not really 47 years old.

Im very happy about this... alexei can be good insurance for both Owens in CF and Richar at 2b... between these 3 guys we should be able to find two solid future contributors to the W. Sox. Very very nice KW

How old is he?

This is good stuff. Very happy even with out knowing the finances.

Edited December 21, 200718 yr by Rowand44

How old is he?

 

26. If I recall.

How old is he?

He turned 26 in September.

He turned 26 in September.

Supposedly....

Supposedly....

I think it's generally believed that the record keeping on these guys has improved for the younger ones and the more recent crossovers.

1) What position does he end up starting at ?

 

2) Do we know what his best position is ?

 

3) Any idea (I know nothing has been releasd) on what kind of contract he'd get ? 10 million a year, more/less ?

 

4) What kind of numbers can we project for this guy ?

 

5) Is he a SB threat, top of the lineup hitter ?

I think it's generally believed that the record keeping on these guys has improved for the younger ones and the more recent crossovers.

Even if he's a bit older it shouldn't effect what he does with us through the length of this contract.

Link to the BA article on him that was splashed around here a while back.

 

He turned 26 in September.

So he's 34?

He's a middle infielder who can play OF? Does that mean he'll be in center?

From BA:

 

Miami-based agent Jaime Torres, who has represented Cuban defectors such as Jose Contreras and recent signees Yohannis Perez (Brewers) and Yoslan Herrera (Pirates), has a new client available to meet with major league teams.

 

Alexei Ramirez led Cuba’s Serie Nacional in home runs last season with 20 and was a member of Cuba’s top-level national team for the last three seasons, winning an Olympic gold medal in 2004 in Athens and playing for Cuba’s World Baseball Classic team, which placed second to Japan. His birthdate has been listed as being either April 25 or Sept. 22, 1981, depending on different international tournament records. Torres reported the Sept. 22 birthdate in a call to Baseball America.

Ramirez, who went 6-for-16 (.375) in the WBC, has played shortstop for Pinar Del Rio but has played the outfield and second base for Cuba in international competition. He hit .335 with a .574 slugging percentage this season for Pinar del Rio.

“He’s going to be available to teams this Thursday at the Hilton hotel in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic,” Torres said Tuesday. “He is in the process of establishing legal residency in the Dominican Republic.

 

“I think this is one of the top two players in Cuba. He’s an exciting hitter who led the league in home runs and can play infield or the outfield.”

 

Ramirez, who played in Cuba for Pinar del Rio (Contreras’ old club), is married to a Dominican citizen. Once he establishes residency in the Dominican and goes through the U.S. government’s “unblocking” process–a procedure aimed at preventing Cubans from funneling money back to the Castro government–he will become a free agent.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=597

 

Video:

Edited December 21, 200718 yr by RME JICO

good stuff. solid move for kw.