Over the past few seasons buying offense has come at a
premium in Major League Baseball and teams have put a premium on acquiring
talent coming out of Cuba. When the New York Yankees handed starting pitcher
Jose Contreras a $32 million deal it was easily the largest deal ever handed to
a native of Cuba and that record would stand for nine seasons until Yoenis
Cespedes received $36 million in 2012. The price for Cuban free agents has gone
up and up and since then and that could mean good things for Yasmany Tomas and
Yoan Moncada in the coming weeks.
The trend upwards in the Cuban market continued last season
when Jose Abreu signed a $68 million deal with the Chicago White Sox and
continued upward when Rusney Castillo signed a $72.5 million deal with the Boston
Red Sox 10 months later. With the 24 year old power hitting outfielder Tomas
and 19 year old five tool infielder Moncada set to sign soon those numbers are
likely to continue to climb.
The impact of these Cuban players in the game is undeniable
as last year alone Abreu, Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and Alexei Ramirez were in last
season’s All Star Game. The talent is fresh for the picking in Cuba lately and
it is getting expensive, be wary. For every Abreu there is two Contreras’,
Ariel Prieto, etc. right behind him. Buyer beware.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)