Yet another Cuban ballplayer has departed the island, as 32-year-old outfielder Alexei Bell has left in search of an opportunity in the majors, according to Jorge Ebro of Baseball de Cuba. Bell is preparing for a showcase in two or three weeks, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez adds.
Bell, a long-time mainstay on the national team, is said to have left Cuba legally. It’s unclear whether that will impact his clearance timeline in any way, but regardless, the first order of business for his representatives at DPX Sports will presumably be to obtain an official declaration of free agency. Bell will not be subject to international bonus restrictions due to his age and long experience in Cuba.
Starring with Santiago in Cuba’s Serie Nacional for many years, Bell compiled a robust .319/.417/.547 batting line in 3,441 career plate appearances. That made him one of the island nation’s most productive hitters. Notably, he has just eight more strikeouts (439) than he does walks (431) in that span, and didn’t end a Cuban campaign with more K’s than walks in a single season after 2008.
As Ben Badler of Baseball America wrote this time last year, however, Bell has shown inconsistency at times with the Cuban national team. He does feature a plus arm and could fit in right field, said Badler.
Bell’s current status and major league prospects remain somewhat unclear, however. He spent the 2015 season with the Capitales of Quebec, in the Canadian-American Association, and the results weren’t all that promising. Over 241 plate appearances, Bell slashed .317/.363/.424 with two home runs (and an uncharacteristic 24:14 K:BB ratio).
In my mind, he is worth the gamble, but what are his salary projections??
That would be the main question….
Another potential question for the White Sox to address this offseason.
Which Cuban to pursue from among Yoenis Cespedes, Alexei Ramirez or Yasiel Puig OR which Alexei to sign from among Ramirez or Bell? (lol)
sign both
Yoenis is the better value there
Bring him in KC!
5’7″ 187 lbs!? What a chunk
Was always a mainstay because he can hit and displayed pull hitting power. He won’t go for much but would be a valuable utility guy. A small market club might jump on him. Lets see
those numbers in Quebec might not be as gaudy as his Cuban numbers, but I’d be happy to take that from LF in Detroit.
.317/.363/.424 wasn’t all that promising ?
Too late….the Dodgers have already signed him!
I guess it depends how much it would take to sign him but the Orioles are in need of a cheap right fielder.