Cubano

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 23, 2014 -> 08:26 AM) I know this question probably transcends baseball and is more into politics, but Cubano do you think Cuba will get to the point that the teams will be negotiating with MLB teams in posting system similar to Japan? At some point Cuba is going to want to start getting something for their players instead of watching them walk away and defect I forgot to mention that Castillo won't walk too much. The are trying to do that. They have sent players to Japan (Despaigne Lotte), Gourriel (Yokohama), (Cepeda Yomiuri), Yuniesky Gourriel, Yuliesky Gourriel older brother, (Quebec). They have been force to do it. Even the bat boys are leaving the teams to pursue MLB $$$$. http://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/playe...;seasonid=27547 How is it the MLB made a big deal about Despaigne playing in Mexico because the Embargo and Yuniesky can play in the CAM league and play in the States? I think he even played at City Field. What happened to the Embargo here? Did he clear OFAC requirement? Clearly, Cespy, Castillo, Abreu, etc had to apply for OFAC so they could be investigated and to make sure their $ would not go to a Cuban returning to the island. Yuniesky clearly will return to the island. They said they wanted to invite some exile players to the next WBC. I doubt it until I see it. I know many Americans do not like the WBC. The Cuban OF would be awesome. Puig, Cespy, Castillo, Despaigne, Castillo, Soler, Tomas, Martin (Texas). No Viciedo please. He will be team Cuba B. 1B Abreu and Kendry 2B Moncada SS Alexei, Iglesias, Hechavarria C Nieto, Pena RHP Jose Fernandez Closer Chapman. If this Cuban team takes the field, I will strongly consider attending the WBC. Listen, politics is BS.

Castillo has some pop but not for 30 HR. Maybe 15-20 will be his plateau. He will be like the Road Runner making defenders crazy with his speed. He has GREAT MAKE up like Cespy who I nicknamed the Ace Destroyer due to his hitting against opponent aces. I am amazed and thrilled for the turnaround in the Cuban market. We went from being underpaid compared to the Japanese market to being paid equally (maybe) though I think MLB will control this soon. Are Abreu, Cespy and Puig underpaid now? Next in line The Havana Mortar (Mortero de la Habana actual nickname in Cuba) Yasmany Tomas and Johan Moncada. 3B Pavel Quezada from the Cienfuegos Elephants is also in the DR. He played with Abreu, Puig and El Grillo Arruebarruena. The Elephants have been decimated by players leaving. What a team they had looking back now! I hope those fans appreciated what they had.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2014 -> 11:44 AM) Rusney seems like he's going to be a good pick-up for a team. Not overly hyped. Kind of has the feeling of Alexei and some of the other cubans that didn't get as much hype but might end up turning into a pretty darn good player. Some nice tools and while he won't be a star, there is nothing wrong with a guy that could be a super utility guy who might just surprise you and end up being able to start. He will get 40 or 50 M. Maybe your city rivals will go fishing.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jul 21, 2014 -> 09:23 AM) I would prefer Yasmani Tomas as he would fit the corner outfield profile that the Sox need to fill opposite of Garcia. Ton of power. Like to see him against Cespy in the HR Derby. Tomas won the last Derby in Cuba where he put a show.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 09:37 PM) their local economy would never be able to support something like that. however, I wonder if US had normal relations cuba could become the next vegas and maybe with the tourist number, it might help out, but still to fully support ...... nope. like you said maybe exhibition games and such. Puerto Rico is broke. Many Puerto Ricans are leaving the island.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jul 23, 2014 -> 07:45 AM) From everything I read, it does not seem like Depsaigne has any interest in playing in the US. His family is supposedly very involved in the Cuban government. Despaigne is heading to Japan next I believe as part of the loosening of restrictions to allow Cuban players to play in other countries. Moacada unfortunately will end up with the Yankees as he counts against the international signing bonus limit and they will not likely have much competition. The Cuban gov. sent Cespy's mother to Venezuela. I think that when she opened her eyes and told him it is time to leave. Many children of government are leaving and even live in the USA. Contreras dedicated some of his performances to el Comandante. Therefore, I would not put much into it. The USA $ is a strong reason to change people's mind.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jul 19, 2014 -> 11:51 AM) Cuban rocket? Can't call him the missile, and I'm not sure Cuba has any jets, maybe the Soviets gave them some a long time ago & they've been converted to run for short (>10min) flights from recycled beach garbage. Oh, this hurts. Just kidding! When the Soviet aid stopped flowing to Cuba, the disassembled all the tanks and old MiG-17 and 21. I always thought, is this how we are going to fight the imperialist Yankees? By the time we start putting these weapons back together, we will be annihilated. I always thought I would run like the Italian army in WWII or the Iraqis. in the first Gulf War. I would have taken refuge in the countryside because I am not Hero. As for Rusney, he should be good for MLB. I really like him. Good speed and some pop. Good teammate too.

He is from my hometown team. He has been out for a while, but I guess he does not have the connections to get his paperwork as fast as Chapman and Puig. Why is that? Maybe because he is not as talented as the other two. He is still signable though.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Apr 26, 2014 -> 08:07 AM) Viciedo has 6 walks already and Alexei has 5. Whether it be Abreu, Steverson, or somebody else, there is clear change in these two. They also have been put on notice especially Viciedo. Alexei has been good for you though. IMO Viciedo has been always overrated in Cuba and here. He is probably not swinging for the fences as much as in the past. I have not seen all of his ABs. I do not have the time. I just go the the video highlights at the end of the game. I have seen lot of Abreu in April in those highlights.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Apr 26, 2014 -> 08:10 AM) Buyable? And, good to hear from you, C. I asked here when you signed Abreu and nobody took a swing. It cost me $120-130 from MLB.com during the WBC. I would probably keep it. Last time I went to the Orioles Park, one dude told me that Bobby Abreu was good when he was with the Phillies.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 11:22 PM) Abreu's having a better start than Puig did. But we don't need Abreumania, ESPN. Puig is crazy and Abreu is the total opposite. What a team they had in Cienfuegos with those two and the new Dodgers SS Erisbel Arruebarruena. The Elephants now have another young outfielder who might be MLB talent. They never went to the Cuban finals though. They kind of choke in the Playoffs though Puig was much younger.

Isn't the Serie Nacional labeled as an A ball by many in the US Media, Sabermetrics community, etc? We see examples after examples of AAA and AA players from US going to Japan and putting better numbers there. We also see many Japanese stars struggling in MLB and even AAA. Therefore, the Japanese league as a whole is not as a strong as a AAA in the US. Why a NPB or a Serie Nacional player is any different than a AAA or AA player for the ROY consideration? Isn't AAA a professional league too with better fields, baseball equipment, transportation, incentives than the Serie Nacional players? Who has the better chance to succeed?

I think Abreu's presence have energized the Missile and the Tank.

I got tickets for the O's vs WS on June 23 at Camden Yards. I will show up with my Abreu team Cuba WBC jersey. I hope Ventura does not give him that Monday off.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Nov 2, 2013 -> 11:17 PM) No catch all thread, so I guess I'll ask this here... Why did Avisail Garcia just retweet this??? Any idea what this is reference to Cubano? https://twitter.com/molinagustavo10/status/...828927466815489 A reply to this comment was something about how quickly people forget the past or something. Not sure what that is all about. Avisail is from Venezuela. Bobby Abreu is from there too and he is playing winter ball. Maybe Abreu is getting booed by fans.