On Monday it was reported free-agent starter Ryan Vogelsong was in Houston and undergoing a physical for the Astros. All of that has changed. Also on the market, yet another Cuban player is seeking an MLB contract.
Vogelsong is now in "serious discussions" with the San Francisco Giants, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, and could end up re-signing with the team. It's unknown what happened with the right-hander's negotiations with the Astros, but they appear to have fallen through. The 37-year-old was likely going to become the No. 5 starter in Houston's rotation, but as of right now it looks like it'll be Dan Straily.
The San Francisco Giants drafted Vogelsong back in 1998 and then rejoined the team in 2011 after spending a combined 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a couple of Japanese clubs, and recovering from injury. Last season Vogelsong was 8-13 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 32 starts and pitched in four of the Giants' postseason games on their road to a World Series title.
After much speculation regarding the Giants' rotation, it seems as if they'll have the same starters from 2014 if they re-sign Vogelsong. With Matt Cain coming back from elbow surgery, the team already has a complete rotation with Madison Bumgarner, Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy and Tim Lincecum/Yusmeiro Petit. However, Linececum and Petit could spend a lot of time in the bullpen, so the addition of Vogelsong will provide more clarity on that front.
As for other free agents, Cuban outfielder Guillermo Heredia has left his home country to pursue a contract in the MLB, writes Baseball America's Ben Badler. The 23-year-old is ranked the No. 11 Cuban prospect according to Baseball America, despite making only one plate appearance in all of last season. It was noted earlier this month that Heredia was actually suspended for four years from professional baseball in Cuba after national baseball commissioner Heriberto Suarez made the announcement.
"Scouts have followed Heredia for years since he was teammates with Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler on the Cuban junior national team at 18U World Championships in 2009," adds Badler. "As a 21-year-old in the 2011-12 season, Heredia broke through by hitting .343/.439/.527 in 443 plate appearances and winning a Gold Glove award."
However, since that solid season, he has played in only 130 games in Cuba and his offensive production was affected fairly significantly. We'll see if he garners any interest on the market once (or if) he's cleared by the U.S. government in the near future.
