Jen-Ho Tseng officially signs with the Cubs and heads to Australia. Luis Encarnacion agrees to terms with the Phillies. A look at the Cubs’ strategy for the IFA period.
Jose Dariel Abreu Defects, Alexander Guerrero Bidding Still Open
Cuban slugger Jose Dariel Abreu has defected. The bidding on Alexander Guerrero is ongoing. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez’s deal with the Phillies has hit a snag.
Eloy Jimenez Officially Signs With the Cubs, Leonardo Molina With the Yanks
Eloy Jimenez officially announced his signing with the Cubs today in a press conference in the Dominican Republic. The move has been long-rumored, but the Cubs asked him to wait until after the trade deadline to make it official. BA TAM Bonus Gleyber Torres (ss) 2 2 $1,700,000 Erling Moreno (rhp) 16 48 $800,000 Jefferson Mejia (rhp) NR* 22 …
Bear Grab Catfish: Cubs Sign Jen-Ho Tseng
Earlier in the week I wondered why the Cubs hadn't signed Jen-Ho Tseng yet, and made the case that unlike Eloy Jimenez, the team had no reason to wait on Tseng. I speculated that the club was waiting to see whether more slot space could be acquired, and that Tseng might end up with the Twins if they could. Well, now that …
Misael Siverio Stats and Video
Cuban News The notable free agent news of the day is that the Cubs are unlikely to sign Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, per CSN’s Patrick Mooney. This is a good thing, I think, unless his price ends up dropping to the $10 million range. At that point, he might be a decent gamble. The Cuban National Team is currently in the midst …
Alexander Guerrero Stats
Cuban News The Dodgers are reportedly out of the running for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. This comes as a bit of a surprise given their current proclivities for spending. The pitching in LA is looking better these days, as Zack Greinke seems to have turned it around, and Ricky Nolasco has been added to shore up their rotation. What remains to be …
Eloy Jimenez Will Sign. Jen-Ho Tseng May Not. **UPDATES**
Eloy Jimenez to Sign After the Trade Deadline Jesse Sanchez reported Sunday that Eloy Jimenez will sign for $2.8 million with the Cubs on August 1st or 2nd. This is not overly surprising, as his agreement with the team has been in place for weeks, and the extra time gives the Cubs the opportunity to acquire pool space in …
Dariel Alvarez Stats, Aledmis Diaz Stats, and Endless Cuban Comps
Updates: If interested in more defector profiles and comparisons, here are Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, Dalier Hinojosa, Odrisamer Despaigne, Alexander Guerrero, and Misael Siverio. In case you are looking for some info to browse through while waiting for Matt Garza to leave town. I was initially planning to write up Misael Siverio, a Cuban lefty who disappeared into a cornfield in Des Moines Tuesday …
Odrisamer Despaigne Stats and a Comparison with Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Dalier Hinojosa
Updates: If interested in more defector profiles and comparisons, here are Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, Dalier Hinojosa, Aledmis Diaz, Dariel Alvarez, Alexander Guerrero, and Misael Siverio. I have previously profiled Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Dalier Hinojosa. This time it’s Odrisamer Despaigne, who defected two weeks ago by walking away from the national team at an airport in Paris. No word yet whether the Cubs have interest, as Despaigne’s …
2013 International Free Agency: Jen-Ho Tseng, Leandro Linares, and an Update on the Budget
Jen-Ho Tseng Interest? Today Jesse Sanchez reported that the Cubs are the favorite to acquire Taiwanese right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng. The Twins have previously been reported as interested. Tseng was at one point was considered the best player in this class, according to BA, but his stuff seems to have regressed somewhat, and they ended up ranking him at #23 (TAM #12). My understanding is that …