Cuban star pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could be on his way to the big leagues in the near future, said his agent according to ESPNDeportes.com.
Agent Jamie Torres told the website his client could be a major asset to a team this season and plans to have him signed in about a week.
"I do not think it will happen this weekend," said Torres. "But fortunately, I hope to have an agreement for next week. While the more interested clubs are making their last internal consultations, we are working on the visa process that [Gonzalez] will need to come to the United States."
According to BleacherReport.com, Gonzalez hangs around 90-94 MPH with his fastball. On occasion he can hit 95 or 96 mph. He also has a changeup and forkball. He throws a curveball that can vary in speed and break. Both the changeup and forkball hang around the high 70s to the low 80s.
According to a source close to the 26-year old Gonzalez, the teams looking into the hard throwing right-hander include the: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
The source also said the Twins and Marlins do not look like favorites to acquire Gonzalez. (Although Gonzalez reportedly has high salary demands which have caused other clubs to bow out of the running, this decision could be because Minnesota and Miami are not playoff contenders.)
"[Gonzalez] could help a team this season," said Torres."[He] only need to go to the minor leagues a couple of weeks and make a few [starts] before debuting in the major leagues. Some of the clubs more interested were evaluating him for a long time, way before he came out of Cuba."
Gonzalez has worked out for MLB teams in Mexico where he move from Cuba earlier in the year. One tryout saw an attendance of 60 scouts.
The office of Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig named the young righty a free agent last Monday. Any Cuban player who is age 23 or more—and has played a minimum of three seasons of professional baseball—does not fall under the league’s new international signing rules. Therefore Gonazalez, could be a major leaguer this year.
"The parties agree on the importance of completing an agreement soon," explained Torres. "So [Gonzalez] can help them this year, at the end of the season and possibly the playoffs, if the team makes it.
