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Cuban Second Baseman Jose Fernandez Defects

By Jeff Todd | October 15, 2014 at 2:39pm CDT

Cuban second baseman Jose Fernandez has defected, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. He will seek a big league contract, says Morosi, though of course he must first qualify for free agency. Ben Badler of Baseball America reported yesterday that Fernandez had not appeared with his club and was potentially attempting to leave Cuba.

Fernandez, Jose 1304 (boyer rode)Not to be confused with the young Marlins pitcher of the same name and Cuban heritage, the 26-year-old Fernandez is considered a legitimate big league prospect who could potentially be signed as an immediate everyday option. He will not be subject to international spending limits given his age and length of service in Cuba’s Serie Nacional.

As Badler wrote back in August, Fernandez is among the three best Cuban ballplayers who are currently unavailable to MLB teams. According to Badler, Fernandez is an on-base machine who hits from the left side with an advanced approach and contact skills. (Remarkably, he struck out only ten times in 314 trips to the plate last year.) You’ll want to read Badler’s full report, of course, for a detailed account. Though a highly developed player, Fernandez does come with some warts, including an unconventional swing, tendency to hit grounders, and below-average speed and power tools. And his defense is described as merely adequate.

In sum, it seems fair to say that Fernandez is less a flashy, toolsy prospect with a wide expected performance bracket than he is a reliable, high-floor target. By way of comparison, fellow recent defector Hector Olivera — also a second baseman — rated sixth on Badler’s list. Though he seems to offer more a somewhat more explosive offensive repertoire, he is also older and comes with an injury history.

As I explained recently with regard to Olivera, Fernandez will not be available to sign immediately. First, he will have to establish residency in another country, be cleared by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control, and be declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. For countryman Yasmany Tomas, that process took approximately three and a half months.

Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode.

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Jose Fernandez 2B Newsstand

As Josh Johnson Begins Throwing, Padres Face Decision
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Minor Moves: Bernadina, Diaz, Balester
67 comments
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Comments

  1. DAKINS

    7 years ago

    Come on AA!!

    Like
    Reply
    • George Bell

      7 years ago

      Makes too much sense

      Like
      Reply
      • BVHjays

        7 years ago

        Have to imagine he’s going to expect something like the Rusney Castillo deal, which would put him beyond the Jays silly 5-year policy.

        Like
        Reply
        • BigDeal

          7 years ago

          Is Jose Fernandez expected to be that highly sought? I haven’t heard much about him, although I didn’t think Castillo would get that much money either. I wish I could see the full Baseball America ranking of top Cuban players, but I’m not a member

          Like
          Reply
          • BVHjays

            7 years ago

            A recent ranking had him ranked #3 in Cuba – although Castillo wasn’t on that list so it’s tough to compare.

            Like
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          • Jeff Hill

            7 years ago

            I honestly think he COULD be highly sought because there aren’t that many good 2nd baseman available this year at all, whether it be via trade or FA. Think about it who is available in FA Bonifacio is the only decent guy available. And in trades it’s only Zobrist. So there is a shortage in the 2nd base market.

            Like
            Reply
            • Christopher Hoffa

              7 years ago

              Daniel Murphy will be available this offseason through trade as well.

              Like
              Reply
              • Enarxis Mesa

                7 years ago

                That’s another attractive one for us too to go with Reyes; a perfect plan C; because Olivera would be plan B !!! !!!

                Like
                Reply
      • Jaysfan1994

        7 years ago

        ^This is true and is the epitome of being a Blue Jay fan. Woe is us.

        Like
        Reply
    • jaysin n

      7 years ago

      My sentiments exactly.

      Like
      Reply
    • Jaysfan1994

      7 years ago

      We’re all hoping, he sounds like a perfect batter in the #2 hole to get on base for the two 35-40 HR threats in Bautista/Encarnacion.

      Could do some good hit & run plays with Reyes considering his phenomenally low strikeout rate and high groundball rate. Groundballs carry extremely quick on the turf too.

      Like
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      • Enarxis Mesa

        7 years ago

        Hope so to but count the Yankees and Dodgers to be all over him…

        LA already got Puig; Arruebarruena and Guerrero…If Hanley leave they might move Guerrero to 3B and play an insane combination up the middle of Arruebarruena and Fernandez; The DP duo of My Team Cuba this pasted WBC !!!

        Like
        Reply
        • Jaysfan1994

          7 years ago

          Everyone is going to be interested, don’t get a lot of middle infielders putting up OBP of .400+ in the minors or really anywhere in baseball.

          Like
          Reply
        • vtadave

          7 years ago

          So Dee Gordon is a bench guy or trade bait? Sort of doubt it.

          Like
          Reply
  2. Hayden Whitis

    7 years ago

    Wait… The name sounds familiar

    Like
    Reply
    • BigDeal

      7 years ago

      Yup, this guy can pitch too. The 2B thing is just a disguise. He’s just trying to achieve a better contract

      Like
      Reply
  3. Sampsonite168

    7 years ago

    Alderson: “There’s this new potential option at 2B that just defec……..”
    Wilpon: “Too expensive. Next.”

    Like
    Reply
    • paqza

      7 years ago

      Better question – can he play SS or RF?

      Like
      Reply
    • Eric Cramer

      7 years ago

      Wilpon: *lights another Cuban cigar with a $100 bill*

      Like
      Reply
    • rct

      7 years ago

      They already have Murphy and Herrera and Flores. If they’re going to spend a bunch of money on a Cuban defector, make it Tomas, who plays a position that they really need.

      Like
      Reply
  4. yolo

    7 years ago

    I would imagine the A’s and Jays are probably the biggest suitors for this guy. Won’t be spectacular, but will probably be good.

    Like
    Reply
    • jaysin n

      7 years ago

      5yrs $25m-$30m

      Like
      Reply
      • yolo

        7 years ago

        Probably what he’s worth, but the market bubble on Cubans might get him an extra $10 million.

        Like
        Reply
        • Jody Davis

          7 years ago

          So… Rusney Castillo received a 7 year $72.5M deal at 27 years old and Jose is more advanced…. and younger… and a lefty bat… and will receive less money?

          I don’t know if he will warrant the money he will be paid, but if he doesn’t match Rusney, he may get more…

          Like
          Reply
          • Eric

            7 years ago

            More advanced but a much lower ceiling.

            Like
            Reply
          • George Bell

            7 years ago

            I would expect somewhere between Alex Guerrero’s 4/28 and Castillo’s deal. His scouting report doesn’t have the same hype.

            Like
            Reply
          • petrie000

            7 years ago

            If i remember correctly Castillo was seen as somewhat of a power threat. The article here says Fernandez is decidedly not, as well as a sub-par runner and ‘adequate’ defender. Not sure the market for ‘OBP’ is all that high right now.

            Like
            Reply
    • Ivan

      7 years ago

      The Marlins also need a 2B but I doubt wego after this guy since we already have a Jose Fernadez.

      Like
      Reply
      • yolo

        7 years ago

        the fernandii

        Like
        Reply
        • JacobyWanKenobi

          7 years ago

          the Joses Fernandii*

          Like
          Reply
    • Since_77

      7 years ago

      Yankees also need 2B help. They can move Prado to 3B.

      Like
      Reply
      • Anthony Turreto

        7 years ago

        The Yankees have a 2B named Refsnyder. His MLB career would likely be on par with Fernandez at much less the cost.

        Like
        Reply
        • Since_77

          7 years ago

          I would love to see the Yankees give Refsnyder at 2B but this guy seems like a more accomplished infielder. Even though the scouting report did not mention his fielding ability. I believe Refsnyder is just learning 2B. If they signed Fernandez, Jose Pirela and Refsnyder could compete for a bench position.

          Like
          Reply
        • Charlie Burns

          7 years ago

          Minor league numbers don’t always translate directly to the Majors (Jurickson Profar and Oscar Taveras come to mind right away) so don’t overate Refsnyder too much now (watch he is the second coming of Cano). And it really couldn’t hurt for the Yanks to have a good option at 2B next year if they don’t think Refsynder is ready yet.

          Like
          Reply
          • DerekJeterDan

            7 years ago

            Refsnyder can also play Right Field.
            There’s room for Fernandez.

            Like
            Reply
            • Charlie Burns

              7 years ago

              Oh very true. Just uncertain if they are going to spend money on Fernandez to play the infield, or if they are going to try and go after some starting pitching (which they need).

              Like
              Reply
    • Enarxis Mesa

      7 years ago

      Will love to see my Jays sign him !!!!

      Then you”l see; every body under estimate Abreu and Guess what !!! Mega Rockie of the Year Campaign !!!

      Like
      Reply
      • paqza

        7 years ago

        I thought he was on the Cubs?

        Like
        Reply
  5. Melvin Mendoza, Jr.

    7 years ago

    I know he’s way out of our price range, but he would be a match made in heaven for the Braves. A second basemen “on base machine.”

    Like
    Reply
    • Jimmy Willy

      7 years ago

      The Brvaes might already have that guy in La Stella, no need to spend 11M dollars when you might have the answer for 500K

      Like
      Reply
      • Melvin Mendoza, Jr.

        7 years ago

        La Stella is not the answer

        Like
        Reply
        • Metsfan93

          7 years ago

          La Stella is young enough with enough on-base skills to basically be a cost-controlled Fernandez.

          Like
          Reply
  6. Karkat

    7 years ago

    Can he play third? :D

    Like
    Reply
    • MaineSox

      7 years ago

      Apparently he does play 3B as well. His arm is fringy there, but his range and glove work nicely at 3B; he’s also a left handed hitter and a contact/OBP machine. Color me interested.

      Like
      Reply
    • Pei Kang

      7 years ago

      He’d probably play anywhere an MLB team asked him to. You’re talking about a guy defecting from Cuba after all.

      Like
      Reply
      • Karkat

        7 years ago

        Well it’s a question of ability, not willingness. I mean, I’d play anywhere an MLB team asked ME too as well, but I wouldn’t be good anywhere :P

        Like
        Reply
  7. East Coast Bias

    7 years ago

    Yanks need to get one of these two 2B; either Olivera or Fernandez.

    Like
    Reply
    • MB923

      7 years ago

      Then where do you play Prado? (I’d love for him to be at SS. Not the best option, but we survived for 20 years with Jeter there)

      Like
      Reply
      • Karkat

        7 years ago

        Your new icon makes me sad a lot

        Like
        Reply
        • MB923

          7 years ago

          Red Sox, Celtics, Pats, Bruins I take it for you lol

          Like
          Reply
          • Karkat

            7 years ago

            Well, very Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins when they’re in the playoffs mostly, and what’s football?

            But I can’t abide by any New York teams because they connect to the Yankees in my mind :P

            Like
            Reply
      • East Coast Bias

        7 years ago

        3rd.

        (then where do you play ARod?)

        You don’t, or you bench him, or you DH him. Gardner, Ellsbury, Beltran in the OF. And on days Beltran needs to DH, play ARod at 3rd and have Prado play the OF. Or the 4th OF.

        That way, all we need is a SS.

        Like
        Reply
        • MB923

          7 years ago

          Maybe they re-sign Headley and put him at 3rd, and as I mentioned Prado to SS, and hoepfully Ref or PIrela at 2B

          Like
          Reply
  8. frogger6

    7 years ago

    “Fernandez is an on-base machine with an advanced approach and contact skills. (Remarkably, he struck out only ten times in 314 trips to the plate last year”
    …..well then count the Brewers out.

    Like
    Reply
  9. citizen

    7 years ago

    At first I thought it was marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez defects to Cuba.

    Like
    Reply
  10. Enarxis Mesa

    7 years ago

    Olivera is an excellent 2B but Fernandez just kills it as we saw this pasted WBC…Now if the Jays would be able to sign Tomas and Fernandez with Melky not returning and just playing Bautista in RF and Pompey in CF….All I can say is; watch out !!!!

    1.Reyes SS. S
    2.Fernandez 2B. L
    3.Bautista RF. R
    4.Tomas LF. R
    5.Lind DH. L
    6.Edwin 1B. R
    7.Navarro C. S
    8.Lawrie 3B. R
    9.Pompey CF. S

    1.Dickey.
    2.Buehrle.
    3.Stroman.
    4.Norris.
    5.Hutchison.

    Back End:

    Graveman/or Delabar MR.
    Loup SU.
    McGowan SU.
    Cecil SU.
    Sanchez. (CL).

    Like
    Reply
    • Russelmysanchez

      7 years ago

      But I think Sanchez is going to be very good.. AKA should not be put in the bullpen and limited :(. Bullpens are for failed starters or 2 pitch guys. Sanchez could be better. I want to see if we have something truly special before we settle. And putting Sanchez in as a closer in my mind is definitely settling for less.

      Like
      Reply
      • paqza

        7 years ago

        Agreed – even a mid-rotation guy is valuable than almost all relievers in the game.

        Like
        Reply
  11. jeffmaz

    7 years ago

    Padres need to pick up this guy and they will have 3 recent Cubano defectors on their team.

    Like
    Reply
  12. paqza

    7 years ago

    Did anyone else notice this guy’s ridiculous K%? 3.2? That’s DiMaggio territory – and also suggests he’d do a much better job adjusting to Major League pitching than Tomás. Tomás went 3 for 18 with 7 Ks against American college pitchers. I’m just not sold.

    Like
    Reply
  13. Nathan Walter

    7 years ago

    Hope the Marlins sign him. Two Jose Fernandez’s on one squad. And then go sign both Chris Young’s this offseason.

    Like
    Reply
    • vtadave

      7 years ago

      They trade for Adam Jones and sign Pacman Jones as a pinch-runner.

      Like
      Reply
      • Nathan Walter

        7 years ago

        And trade for Ryan Braun of the Brewers to play in the outfield along with Ryan Braun of the Angels organization for the bullpen.

        Like
        Reply
    • Vincent Paterno

      7 years ago

      A la the ’62 Mets with two Bob Millers.

      Like
      Reply
  14. Vincent Paterno

    7 years ago

    Does anyone think Rizzo would be interested? If the Nationals don’t keep Cabrera, who probably wants to move somewhere to SS, they’ll have this decision assuming Zimmerman moves to 1B.

    1. Sign Fernandez and keep Rendon at 3B (this also assumes Espinosa is not the answer at 2B), or
    2. Move Rendon to 2B and sign a free agent 3B (Sandoval?).

    Which option is more cost-effective for the Nats? Much, of course, depends on the demand (and cost) for Fernandez vs. a free agent 3B.

    Like
    Reply
  15. bucsws2014

    7 years ago

    If the Bucs don’t re-sign Martin, Fernandez would be a good solution. Get him for 2b, move Walker to 1b, trade Pedro to an AL team for pitching, get a 2-3 WAR defense-oriented catcher. Might be even better than a wash, WAR wise.

    Like
    Reply
  16. Terry Janiak

    7 years ago

    Don’t know why everyone wants this guys, he isn’t even on the same level as Puig/Abreu/Cespedes/Castillo/Tomas. He projects as a decent avereage, low power, low speed, and questionable defensive player in major league baseball. Just because he’s Cuban doesn’t mean hes going to get Abreu/Castillo/Tomas money. He will get something similar to what Guerrero got.

    Like
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