Red Sox Agree To Terms With Cuban SS

Thanks Ben,

I posted a Spanish link below in the Gammons article, then imagine most here are not bilingual..

Interesting that he's already max'ed out at 5'10, 180 according to BP, isn't that a bit early to be completely filled out at 19 and has no projection left?

I hadn't paid attention to it, but worst case scenario they get a Nick Punto/Adam Everett type for I don't know, 1.3-2 million a year? Not terrible, and maybe some upside.

(I'm a Yankees fan, so maybe I'm slightly biased, we really don't know about these prospects all that well with the limited info)

can anyone find a line on this guy, i cant find a single stat anywhere...

"so basically the sox are going back to 06' again like they did with Alex Gonzalez"

Gonzo had range and a superb glove, not sure if this guy has range from all reports yet, just the glove.

Have seen some posts on a Sox site with him and Sox AA guy Argenias Diaz, who is a flashy glove and -0- bat, but Diaz has yet to learn to hit since being signed as a IFA as a 16YO in 2003 consistently.

Iglesias is larger at 180lbs than the skinny as a rail Diaz at 155lbs and 5'11", so the Sox must think he has the ability to give him 8M+.

"Color me unimpressed for $8+ million."

Agreed, I'd like to see more of a bat for that price. But the fact remains that an up the middle defense has always been a hallmark of a winning team and the Sox really could use a good defensive shortstop even if it means putting his bat in the #9 hole in the future.

Meanwhile, I thought the Sox already had an Ozzie-Smith-like prospect named Yamaico Navarro?

He's 21 and sporting a .908 OPS in high A (very sss, I know...)

"Scouting Report: Not initially signed as a big name, Navarro has thoroughly impressed the Sox brass during his rise through the organization. He has an athletic build for a shortstop, with a little bit of bulk. At the plate, he makes good contact and generates good loft off his bat, resulting in a lot of liners. Quick wrists, nice bat speed. Hits fastballs better than breaking balls. A little too aggressive at the plate, could stand to take some more pitches. Average speed and good power for a middle infielder. In the field, he plays 2B, 3B, and SS more than adequately, with a sure glove, an above average arm, and decent fluidity. He has had some problems with executing double plays, but that seems to be improving. Regardless, he's always entertaining to watch, and turns a lot of big league gems with his glove. He has an Ozzie Smith-like electricity in the field."

I understand depth is fabulous and prospects are a dime a dozen, but Iglesias just doesn't seem worth it when Navarro cost the Sox a measly $20K to sign.

So... uh... he's Ramiro Pena, but more raw? For $8M?

It seems premature to judge this signing considering that we know next to nothing about the guy. The Red Sox, while not always great at trading, have shown remarkable success in scouting and I would trust that they see at least proficient offensive potential in this guy.

"I am hoping the real SS of the Red Sox future turns out to be David Renfroe... but that's assuming we sign him (we will) and he sticks at SS v. filling out and playing the hot corner."

They better sign Renfroe, with #6 Kline almost for certain going to UVA and #7 Younginer still unsigned.

My apologies on Gibson, should have known better since listen in on Lowell games when 2009 #2 Alex Wilson pitches..

"They better sign Renfroe, with #6 Kline almost for certain going to UVA and #7 Younginer still unsigned."

I think Renfroe and Younginer are signed. Younginer is exactly the type Sox brass covet. Ideal pitcher frame with a plus fastball and plus slider. High school kid who lives just miles from low A Greenville. He'll get signed.

I bet Renfroe ends up signing for Westmoreland money.

Kline is a goner unless the Sox back the truck up for the kid. Gotta respect his decision though. Great student and first one in his family to go to college. Definitely root for kids like this.

He's only 19 - get the kid some north end italian food and muscle milk, and he'll be MLB shape before too long.

A-Gon and the rest of the premium defense of the 06 sox definitely helped the many mediocre groundball pitchers that year pick up a few extra wins.

I wonder if this signing has any other significance in potentially leading to another Cuban? I ask because the org unlike the nyy has little to no experience with Cuba defectors.
They have appeared to overpay. Even if he turns out to be a superior glove man. Maybe there's a reason?

"I wonder if this signing has any other significance in potentially leading to another Cuban?"

It would be a smart move, given that relations with Cuba are on the verge of serious improvement and the Yankees currently have a major lead in Cuban fan loyalty.