The Orioles have agreed to a deal with Cuban lefty Ariel Miranda, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. It will be a minor-league contract, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (also on Twitter). The deal will is contingent upon a physical.
The 25-year-old Miranda pitched for seven seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, most recently posting a 3.24 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 13 starts with Mayabeque and Isla de la Juventud in 2013. Due to Miranda’s age and experience, his signing will not be subject to rules regarding international bonus pools. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 168 pounds. Beyond that, there isn’t much information available in English about Miranda, although Sanchez listed him as a free agent to watch in February. Miranda had reportedly established residency in Haiti and was training in the Dominican Republic, according to Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald. Ebro also notes that Miranda is represented by Praver Shapiro.
Miranda is definitely an International Man of Mystery!
The O’s haven’t scored yet with their bargain-basement Cubans. Maybe a fringe lefty is the way to go, but it’s probably just another Urrutia.
Dariel Alvarez
First, not all of the top shelf Cubans have panned out, either. Second, it’s a minor league deal, so low risk signing.
Jomar Reyes looks like he could contribute. Not giving up on Henry Urrutia yet and they say Dariel Alvarez has best arm in system. They don’t go after the top guys so their success percentage is going to be lower.
Jomar Reyes? He’s very young, but looks like he could have massive upside. I’m very interested to watch his development. And there’s Schoop if he counts.
lol, yes Jomar and not Jose!
What happened to Lazaro Leyva? Did we ever find out if he exists at all?