Yanks Interested In Cuban Pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne

The New York Yankees seem ready to jump back into the international free agent market, at least on paper anyway, as they have been liked to yet another international pitcher this evening. The latest Cuban defector is Odrisamer Despaigne and the Yankees have been scouting him at his showcases in Spain. Despaigne is expected to come to Mexico soon to put on a big showcase for teams and does not expect to leave the country before signing with a major league team. Despaigne defected back in July and is still awaiting his clearance from the United Stated Office of Foreign Assets Control but that seems like a formality at this point that should be cleared up relatively quick.

The Yankees are not alone as the Phillies, Giants, Mariners, and Mets among others have all shown varying levels in the next big thing from Cuba. Despaigne has hired the same agent, Jaime Torres, as Yasiel Puig, Alexei Ramirez, and Jose Contreras and those guys got big money so he may price himself out of the Yankees budget, especially if the $189 million goal is real, but you never know with these Cuban players. No speculation has been reported to what kind of contract he may require or ask for so we will have to stay tuned for that.

Despaigne is 26 years old and has eight years of professional baseball under his belt in Cuba and is a true free agent. Obviously there is no posting fee and due to his age you will  not have to use international spending cap money to bring in Despaigne. Odrisamer has a career 51-39 record with a 3.65 ERA but posted a 2.58 ERA in his final season before defecting.

I am going to go out on a limb and say, due to his age, that Despaigne will sign for a four year deal worth $20,000,000 and hopefully it is with the New York Yankees.