Category: Cuba
The Cuban Ohtani?
The Cuban Ohtani? There is LOTS of intrigue surrounding 21-year old Cuban prospect Oscar Colas. Continue reading
Yoelkis Cespedes Is The Jarred Kelenic Band-Aid.
The younger half-brother of Yoenis Cespedes is almost ready to make his U.S. debut with an upcoming skills showcase for Major League clubs in both Florida and Arizona sometime in March. Yoelkis Cespedes has been described as a “five tool outfielder with above-average tools across the board,” by MLB.com. There is intrigue by both MLB executives, scouts, and fans to see the younger Cespedes’ display the skills that have had him the talk of the international market since he defected from the island last summer. If the Mets ever needed somebody to add to their organization to remove the hurt of losing another young and projectible five-tool outfielder, then look no further. Continue reading
Mets Tidbits:
- Cuban free agent third baseman Yulieski Gourriel held his private workout with the Mets today at the Mets facility in Port St. Lucie. Gourriel who is widely regarded as the best player in Cuba, held a private workout with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. In 15 seasons played between Cuba and Japan, Gourriel has hit .335 with a .417 OBP, .580 slugging percentage and 250 HR in 5,491 plate appearances. Former teammate and current Met Yoenis Cespedes has heavily campaigned for the Mets to sign Gourriel. It is estimated that the 32-year old Cuban could ask for between $10-11 million annually, and it is unknown if the Mets will meet that price tag. Gourriel posted the picture above on his personal Instagram account today.
- The New York Mets are on the fence as to whether Steven Matz will make his next scheduled start on Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals. Matz who has been examined by a doctor, has no structural damage in the left elbow but is still feeling discomfort. You can imagine the Mets and manager Terry Collins are going to play it safe with their prized rookie left-hander, but we should know an exact status on Matz by tomorrow.
- Manager Terry Collins has indicated before tonight’s game that former shortstop now turned utility player, Jose Reyes will play his final game with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones tonight before moving his minor league assignment to Double-A Binghamton tomorrow. It is widely expected that Reyes will spend between 7-10 days in the minors working out at third base and in the outfield before making his return to the Major League roster. In Reyes first action yesterday for Brooklyn he played third base and went 0-3 at the plate with a walk. Reyes is expected to be inserted immediately into the leadoff spot upon his arrival to the Mets.
- In sort-of related Mets news, the Washington Nationals announced that right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito will be recalled from Double-A tomorrow night to face the Mets. Giolito is expected to replace Stephen Strasburg while he is on the disabled list. Giolito is widely regarded as the number one prospect in baseball and is ranked as the number one overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com. The Mets however have faced their fair share of high-end rookie pitchers this year including facing the number two prospect in baseball, Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias.
Cespedes likely out for Reds series.
Yoenis Cespedes was examined today by Mets team doctors, and had fluid drained from his right leg after reaggravating his leg injury on Friday night. Cespedes reinjured his right leg sliding into second base on a double. Cespedes originally injured his right leg on a dive into the stands, chasing a foul ball earlier this month. He was not in tonight’s lineup and has now missed three games in a row with the possibility of missing at least five in a row.
Mets GM Sandy Alderson spoke on the situation prior to tonight’s contest and stated that he does not believe he will require a DL stint, however it is “possible” that Cespedes will sit the entire series against the Reds.
“At the moment we’re looking at it on a day-by-day basis,” Alderson told reporters prior to the game. “Fortunately we have the depth that we anticipated we would need, and so we’ve been able to survive his absence over the last several days. And I’m sure we’ll do our best to survive over the next two or three. But, right now, I don’t see it being a DL. That could change, obviously, with a different medical opinion as time goes on. But I don’t see that.”
I believe the Mets will err on the side of caution with Cespedes as they have plenty of outfield depth, and there is no reason to rush him back at less than 100% this early in the season. The Mets are beginning a stretch starting tonight, of twenty games in twenty-one days, which includes a long West Coast swing starting next Thursday. With only one off day in the next twenty-one days, the Mets can’t afford to lose Cespedes for a significant period of time. With the offense currently trending up, there should be no harm letting him sit out one series against the struggling Reds.
Yoenis Cespedes likely out through weekend.
Yoenis Cespedes was held out of today’s Mets lineup by Manager Terry Collins after he reaggravated his right leg bruise sliding into second base on a double last night in the top of the seventh inning. Cespedes originally stayed in the game, but was replaced by Juan Lagares in the bottom of the eight inning. Cespedes originally injured his right leg on a dive into the stands earlier this month while chasing a foul ball.
When speaking to the media before today’s game in Atlanta, Collins talked about Cespedes current condition. “The bruise is pretty big. He’s aggravated it, and he’s limping pretty bad. … He’s pretty swelled. He’s certainly not going to be available today.” Collins also stated that no X-ray’s or MRI’s are scheduled for Cespedes right leg.
It makes perfect sense to sit Cespedes out the next two days, until he has full mobility in his leg as he clearly has a limp with the injury. The Mets can get by with Juan Lagares in center field as he is a Gold Glover himself, and his bat seems to be coming back around this season. Look for Cespedes to be back in the Mets lineup Monday night when the Mets return to New York, health permitting of course.
Mets Outfield Update
- Terry Collins told reporters this afternoon, that Curtis Granderson is expected to play and be back in the lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s tilt against the New York Yankees.
- Yoenis Cespedes will play in his first game in center field this spring, on Wednesday afternoon as well. Cespedes has been limited to playing in a DH role thus far.
- Juan Lagares is on the travel roster for tommrrow afternoon’s ball game in Orlando against the Braves. Lagares has been out of action for the past several days due to a dental problem. Expect Lagares to draw the start in center field.
The Best Power Hitter Not In MLB…
Will Alfredo Despaigne be the next Cuban superstar to make the jump to Major League Baseball? It is a legitimate question, as arguably 3 out of the 4 top players that were on the island have defected recently in pursuit of obtaining a Major League Baseball contract. Continue reading
Best Fits for Yulieski Gourriel…
Yulieski Gourriel is regarded as the best player in the world who is not playing in Major League Baseball. All of that is about to change with Yulieski and his younger brother Lourdes defecting from Cuba a couple of weeks ago. Continue reading
Above The Mendoza 