Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz and Cuban right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne held a showcase at the Padres' Spring Training complex today, MLB.com's Corey Brock tweeted earlier. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported (via Twitter) that more than 20 teams had scouts on-hand to see the pair. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Yankees, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres and Giants were all there to scout Diaz (Twitter links). According to the San Diego Union-Tribune (on Twitter), Diaz could command as much as $20-30MM as a free agent. However, he is ineligible to sign until next week (Feb. 19) at the earliest. Here's more on the international market…
- Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish tweets that Diaz could look to choose a club as soon as Friday or Saturday of next week.
Earlier Updates
- Sanchez adds that Diaz and Despaigne have also schedule four more showcases in Florida, beginning this weekend, in order to allow clubs whose Spring Training facilities are in that state easier scouting access. Despaigne's next showcase will come in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Saturday, according to Sanchez (Twitter links). The Rays' Spring Training complex is in Port Charlotte, for what it's worth.
- The Dodgers continued their aggressive approach on the international front today, signing 18-year-old Panamanian outfielder Carlos Mosquera, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (on Twitter).
- Cuba sent a team to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela for the first time since 1960, writes Baseball America's Ben Badler (subscription required and recommended). As such, Major League scouts flocked to the series in order to get a first-hand look at some of the talent. Badler says that most scouts left underwhelmed, but four players — outfielder Alfredo Despaigne, second baseman Jose Fernandez, third baseman Yulieski Gourriel and right-hander Norge Ruiz — each jumped out. Badler provides scouting reports for each, with the write-ups on Ruiz and Despaigne being lengthier than those on Fernandez and Gourriel. Previously, Badler has written that Ruiz, 19, is establishing himself as a rising star.
hold on… Diaz is going to command $20-$30mm??? Over how many years??
hopefully 10-15
Hold on you mean $20mil-$30m for 10-15 years?! or $10-$15 mil. because giving $20mil-$20mil for 10 years is absolutely ridiculous. Extremely insane, beyond reality. That’s Mike Trout type of contract demands and he is no Trout. Even asking $20mil-$30 mil a year in my opinion is seriously insane.
I think your sarcasm detector is broken.
Just a guess, but probably four to six. I don’t consider the total all that surprising. We’ve already seen Guerrero and Arruebarruena go in that same range.
I think it will depend on anyone liking him a lot, if the Yankees or any of these teams falls in love with him then the bidding will see a jump.
I’ve been hearing rumors that Despaigne was going to play in Mexico, does anyone know if/when he is making the jump to big leagues?
Does anyone have a scouting report on Diaz? Or are we going to have to wait until after the showcase to get an analysis of what he has to offer?
He is a 23 year old Cuban SS. Jesse Sanchez said today scouts wonder how he will fare against tough breaking balls. I’ve also read reports from scouts that say he should probably stay in the minors for a little bit to get used to the pitching over here in the states. His range is pretty good but defense is questionable for a shortstop and he is expected to be a 2B in MLB. He has power and hit .315/.404/.500 with 12 homers and 11 stolen bases in 313 AB’s in the 11-12 season in Cuba.
cool. Seems like the Jays and yankees are most in need of young, controllable 2B. It will be interesting to see who makes the strongest play.
I’m expecting mets and twins to go in pretty hard after Diaz. Supposedly can hit for some power and has a very good arm. Neither has a SS that should stand in his way.
He is expected to move to second base
And the mets are expected to start Tejada at shortstop. Don’t think that should stop them.
Neither team can match what the Yankees offer. The rest can fight over Drew, assuming the Yankees don’t grab him too
While few teams could match New York’s Tanaka offer, Diaz’s price will be low enough that any team could realistically choose to top the Yankees if they want. They’ve also said they’re done adding significant expenditures. Diaz isn’t a part of the class referred to in the reports stating that the Yankees are going to shatter international spending precedents this summer.
When they said they were done adding significant pieces I’m sure they meant guys like Drew, Santana, Jimenez, Morales, etc. Diaz would be more of a depth option.
I don’t think a $20-30MM contract can qualify as adding depth. Diaz falls into the realm of “significant” signings.
He’s asking $20mil-$30 mil a year that’s not cheap…………..
It’s $20-30MM total, not annually.
oh I see.
Twins would seem a good fit, but the most recent reports from Minneapolis media is that they’re not comfortable with how expensive he’ll be. The Mets make sense, agreed. Then again, a lot of teams make sense for a 23-year-old shortstop with some upside. We’ll know a lot more in a week once he’s eligible to sign.
Does anyone know how to pronounce Norge? is it like Jorge with an ‘N’ or is it pronounced the way it is spelled?
It’d be like “Jorge” with an N, I believe: “Nor-hay.”
Correcto. : )
Yankees going to pay what it takes. They need a 2B and SS of the future, and looks like Diaz could be at 2B in the 2nd half, or even SS if the Yankees don’t mid his defense there and Jeter is injured.
With their main need right now being a SS & wasting their time being on & off on Stephen Drew throughout the offseason, you’d think the Mets would be one of the teams in on Diaz. The Mets need a young SS more than anything else right now.