The MLB is set for another influx of Cuban baseball players, according to the latest rumors.
The Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $6 million contract with Cuban shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Additionally, the MLB has cleared Cuban prospects Lazaro (also known as "Lazarito") Armenteros (per FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal) and Randy Arozarena (per Ben Badler of Baseball America) - both of whom are now free agents.
Rodriguez, 21, left Cuba in May to seek an MLB contract after being named the 2014-15 Serie Nacional Rookie of the Year. He's known as an astute defender, but his bat is said to need a lot of improvement.
"Rodriguez has a long way to go as a hitter but was arguably the best defensive shortstop in Cuba," Badler wrote in May. "He's an athletic, agile defender with smooth, fluid actions. He's extremely light on his feet and has good body control and range, with an average arm. At around 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Rodriguez is a plus runner who ranked third in Serie Nacional in stolen bases with 12 steals in 16 attempts."
Rodriguez was also declared a free agent by the MLB today and the Reds pounced on the opportunity to sign him.
Fellow Cubans Armenteros and Arozarena are now free agents as well.
Armenteros, 16, left Cuba in September in hopes of getting an MLB deal. Previous rumors suggested the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals were eyeing the versatile youngster, who can play the corner outfield and infield spots.
"Armenteros' past speaks volumes," Sanchez wrote in September. "He was named to the all-tournament team after hitting .462 with nine runs, three doubles, five triples and eight RBIs in nine games during Cuba's championship run at the U15 Baseball World Cup in Mexico last year.
"Armenteros also had 42 hits in 38 games, with eight doubles, three triples, six home runs and 12 stolen bases for Havana's under-15 team in 2014. He recorded five hits, including two triples, in four games for Havana as a 13-year-old."
And finally, Arozarena is another versatile youngster. He left Cuba in June to establish residency in Mexico. The 20-year-old has experience playing second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield, even after reaching Cuba's Serie Nacional.
"With his bat, eye and speed, Arozarena projects as a future table setter who could hit at the top of a lineup while playing somewhere in the middle of the diamond, whether it's center field, second base or having the versatility to move around the field," Badler wrote back in April. "He's still at least a couple of years away from being major league ready, as he'd probably go to a high Class A level if he were in the United States."
He hit .291/.412/.419 with 49 runs scored, 3 home runs, 24 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 74 games this past season, which is likely to attract MLB clubs since it was just his second season as a pro (he barely played his rookie year).
Stay tuned for a confirmation on Rodriguez as well as updates on Armenteros and Arozarena.
