Yankee Minors: A Cuban Connection?
This past week, the Yankees signed a Cuban defector named Adonis Garcia for a reported 400K. Though not a big ticket IFA, he fits in with an emerging Yankee pattern of searching for bats in a niche market. The market is mid-range Cuban position player market, and it may start paying dividends for the Yanks this season. Previous, signings from this market include Ronnie Mustelier and Yadii Mujica, a pair of overage prospects who just got promoted to AAA after hitting .353 and .443 in the offensively oppressive Eastern League. Mustelier has played everything but catcher and first for the affiliates and was was either tied for the Eastern League lead in homers or one back when he was promoted. Mujica is a shortstop, and they've been starting at third and short for the AAA Yanks since their promotions.
Adonis Garcia is an outfielder and he will probably start in Tampa, though it could be lower.
Now, unless lightning strikes, none of these guys are gonna be long term solutions for the Yanks, but, they could provide a cheap and effective bench going forward. Depending on how well he defends, Mustelier could be the Super Utility guy the Yanks have been trying to develop for years. In other words, a guy they can drop in the lineup who can hit consistently and add some pop.
They've been trying to do that with Nunez, but his D has been problematic and his bat is inconsistent. Mustelier is a bit older, but we'd also be getting all prime for his controllable years with the option of throwing him in a trade if someone better develops. Likewise, Mujica and eventually Garcia could add depth and save the Yanks from wasting prospects or millions on role players.
This could be very efficient and it bears watching. Nice idea, Yanks!
posted by Kalel9 @ 9:15 AM
7 Comments:
In an ideal world, a bench player for the Yankees is someone with defensive flexibility/prowess, with at least one or two guys who possess the ability to hit either lefties or righties hard.
Unfortunately, this year's squad has several players seeing regular playing time that have no business doing so. What exactly does this organization see in Eduardo Nunez? Andruw Jones isn't hitting lefties hard, and while Raul Ibanez has some nice pop, no way do his numbers justify him getting regular playing time at DH. (And don't even get me started on Girardi playing him in the outfield.)
All of this is compounded by the injury problems, Cano's slow start, A-Rod's decline and Teixeira and Martin's general awfulness.
Yeah, that's what's going on, now. But in the macro, I find this little Cuban gambit could payoff and give them a bench advantage going forward.
Color me worried about the offense in the next five years, assuming Swisher and Martin (and eventually Granderson) are let go.
You know that I was against the Montero trade from the moment it happened. And its because I too am concerned. He was the bridge to all the young hitters in low A and below.
Phil, what is going on with Soler? Will he be available?
Phil, what is going on with Soler? Will he be available?
I don't know what's up with Soler. Seemed like the Cubs had the inside track, but who knows?
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