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The Extra 2%, 18.3° N Edition

In Commentary And Analysis by GW

Yoan Moncada has been cleared for free agency, just as soon as he gets unblocked by the U.S. Treasury Department. The Cubs had a strong presence at a workout in Guatemala on Wednesday. Since he is subject to international spending bonus pools, however, the Cubs will only have the chance to sign him if they can convince him to wait until next July. …

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IFA: Cubs Sign Four Players; Video and Potential Trade Partner Updates

In News And Rumors by GW

Cubs Summary I was wrong, there was one Cubs signing today: Panamanian SS Francisco Garay. Has to be below $250k as penalty for last year’s spending. — Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 3, 2014 There seem to be some questions about his birthday. Cubs Sign Dominican LHP Wander Cabrera For $250,000 (via @iplbaseball_rd). Story at Baseball America: http://t.co/FMOF3f9sxP — Ben Badler …

Who Will the Cubs Trade With on July 2nd?

In Uncategorized by GW

The new international free agent signing period starts Wednesday. The Cubs were unable to stay within their allotted bonus pool limits last year, and won’t be able to spend more than $250,000 on a single player this year, despite having nearly four million dollars to spend. What that adds up to is the that the team is likely to trade …

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Mets, Red Sox, Others Interested in Cuban Defector Ernesto Molinet

In News And Rumors by GW17 Comments

Ernesto Molinet is a 29 year-old first baseman who defected at some point after the 2013 Cuban National Series. Like Daniel Carbonell, Molinet's defection has mainly gone unnoticed in the press. Even Spanish-language accounts are difficult to find. Someone needs to direct his agent to Jesse Sanchez's twitter account. It's possible that Molinet "retired" early in Cuba and received permission to travel …

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Dayron Varona Stats

In Commentary And Analysis by GW49 Comments

Today's daily defector is Dayron Varona. Varona is a centerfielder from Camaguey. His departure from Cuba was originally reported in November, but that appears to have been inaccurate. Dayron did indeed attempt defection in mid-November, but failed and was suspended. Regardless, he left the country sometime between then and January, and is currently training in Miami. I can't find an accurate …

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Rusney Castillo Stats, Scouting Report, and Video

In Commentary And Analysis by GW11 Comments

Rusney Castillo is a centerfielder who defected from Cuba last December. He was suspended from international travel and National Series play in August, meaning that this was at least his second attempt at defection. Castillo is 5’9″, 185 pounds, and his game is more speed than power. The Dodgers and Orioles seem to be interested, though he has yet to …

Erisbel Arruebarruena Stats; Aledmys Diaz and Alexander Guerrero Comps

In Commentary And Analysis by GW64 Comments

Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena has reportedly agreed to terms with the Dodgers for five years and $25 million. Arruebarruena, who is in desperate need of a nickname (Babar? Belarus?), was reported to have defected in November, but may have escaped in late October. He has yet to be approved by the government. This could be an issue, as he established residency in Haiti, …

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Yankees, Blue Jays Interested in Cuban Defector Daniel Carbonell

In Commentary And Analysis, News And Rumors by GW87 Comments

Last October, center fielder Daniel Carbonell Arredondo and infielder Orlando Perez Darias defected from Cuba. As far as I can tell, their defection has yet to be reported in the American press. Carbonell played for Camaguey in the Cuban National Series from the 2009-10 season through ’12-13. He was suspended last August prior to his successful defection. Carbonell is currently residing in …

2014 IFA: Yankees Double Down, More Names Emerge

In Commentary And Analysis by GW9 Comments

A surly Kiley McDaniel has followed up his original scoop about the Yankees' plans to to binge on this year's by putting some names out there: Dermis Garcia (3B, Dominican) is believed to have a deal for $3 million, Nelson Gomez (3B, Dominican) is also believed to have a deal for $3 million, Juan De Leon (CF, Dominican) is believed …

There Will Not Be an International Draft Until 2017 (At Least)

In Commentary And Analysis, News And Rumors by GW20 Comments

The articles I cited earlier today reference the Yankees' fear that an international draft will be instituted soon, and that it's driving their current desire to sign everyone.  ESPN NY: The Yankees are apparently willing to take the financial plunge because of fears baseball will soon institute an international draft similar to its amateur domestic draft, an area in which the Yankees have …