Raciel Igleias defects from Cuba

[cmb0252]

Igleias is 23 (24 in April) and was considered one of the best pitchers in Cuba. The righty doesn't have an ideal pitching frame, 5'11 and weights 165" lbs, but threw in the 92-95 range while on Cuba's US tour. Teams USA's coach had this to say about him:

 

"I think he’s a guy that, as he gets bigger and stronger, could be in the mid-to-upper 90s,” said Team USA coach Jim Schlossnagle, who is also the coach at Texas Christian. “He’s lean, has a ridiculously loose arm and pounded the strike zone. I was glad they didn’t pitch him more. He was the guy where you’re like, ‘Let’s find a way to get a lead before they get to this guy.’ ”

 

Unlike Tanaka, Igleias most likely would have to spend sometime in the minors, but won't cost a posting fee.

 

Like to Bed Badlers full article:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-cuban-pitcher-raicel-iglesias-defects/

[howieramone1406390264]

This is one of the reasons why I had no problem with not signing Guerrero. A starting pitcher becomes available from a "somewhat predictable nowhere" after we argued for 21 pages to sign the Dodgers projected 2B.

[glunn]

It would be nice if the Twins would take a keen interest in this guy. Maybe Tony Oliva could meet with him and be his mentor.

 

Ryan seems reluctant to "overspend" for free agents, but if Iglesias impresses the scouts, then he seems like he would be worth taking some risk. The Twins have a greater need for starters than almost any other team, and Iglesias might be a difference maker for many years to come.

[Mike Sixel]

Go for it TR, go for it.

[ThePuck]

This is one of the reasons why I had no problem with not signing Guerrero. A starting pitcher becomes available from a "somewhat predictable nowhere" after we argued for 21 pages to sign the Dodgers projected 2B.

 

What does one have to do with the other?

[Winston Smith]

What does one have to do with the other?

 

My guess is poverty. The poor, small market Twins can't afford to sign two players mentality.

[howieramone1406390264]

My guess is poverty. The poor, small market Twins can't afford to sign two players mentality.

 

Let me clarify. If our scouts give the okay on a starting pitcher or pitchers, IMO we should spend the money on said starting pitcher or pitchers until there is no more money left. With Dozier, Rosario, and the $750,000 invested in Polanco, I'm cool with the situation at 2B.

[ThePuck]

I understand it can be hard to follow along with us Old School baseball types, let me clarify. If our scouts give the okay on a starting pitcher or pitchers, IMO we should spend the money on said starting pitcher or pitchers until there is no more money left. With Dozier, Rosario, and the $750,000 invested in Polanco, I'm cool with the situation at 2B.

 

There is nothing old school about this line of thinking...so far none of these guys have been signed...there is nothing wrong with collecting as much talent as possible when you can...and to assume that if you don't spend on one guy, that you will for sure be able to sign another guy, makes no sense.

[TheLeviathan]

I, for one, don't understand the idea of bypassing a talent on the off chance someone pops up out of nowhere looking for a job. We have plenty of room for both.

[ashbury]

Mod note: please leave out the condescension and digs. Omitting "I understand it can be hard to follow along with us Old School baseball types," and just starting with "Let me clarify" would have improved one post greatly. And "poor small market Twins" is similarly belittling. Thus these things escalate.

[cmb0252]

I know people doubt the Twins interest in Tanaka, which is fair, but this guy just sounds like a Twins target. Undersized, low 90s fastball, loose arm, and pounds the strike zone. Twins have been one of the most willing teams to sign "undersized" pitchers if they have advancedstuff. Also, Schlossnagle is a pretty well respected coach and if he thinks Igleias can add more to his fastball I believe him.

[nicksaviking]

I wonder if his small stature will make some clubs think he has to be a reliever? That could lower his asking price and shrink the pool of suitors. Of course it's very likely the Twins would be one of those clubs who don't like his height.

[Winston Smith]

Mod note: please leave out the condescension and digs. Omitting "I understand it can be hard to follow along with us Old School baseball types," and just starting with "Let me clarify" would have improved one post greatly. And "poor small market Twins" is similarly belittling. Thus these things escalate.

 

Let me clarify! There are many people that still hold the notion that the Twins have little money to sign players. For years the "poor small market Twins" was the mantra of how unlike Sisyphus the Twins were able to reach the mountain top, at least division titles, on a meager budget. That idea still gets into discussions about getting players. This is not the 2000 ish Twins with bad attendance and very little income. Signing one player doesn't mean they can't sign another they have plenty of money to do both and more.

 

I'll go sit in the corner now!!

[nicksaviking]

Let me clarify! There are many people that still hold the notion that the Twins have little money to sign players. For years the "poor small market Twins" was the mantra of how unlike Sisyphus the Twins were able to reach the mountain top, at least division titles, on a meager budget. That idea still gets into discussions about getting players. This is not the 2000 ish Twins with bad attendance and very little income. Signing one player doesn't mean they can't sign another they have plenty of money to do both and more.

 

I'll go sit in the corner now!!

 

Don't forget your cap.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LN9zmHnAq6c/TkIjmqPm_MI/AAAAAAAAAi0/ZjDNO-oz1po/s320/dunce_cap.jpg

[Winston Smith]

Don't forget your cap.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LN9zmHnAq6c/TkIjmqPm_MI/AAAAAAAAAi0/ZjDNO-oz1po/s320/dunce_cap.jpg

I put that on when I step out of the shower in the morning and take it off when I go to bed.

That dunce cap and I are one and the same.

[Tcrose3636]

Go for it TR, go for it.

 

Only if it doesn't take a huge amount over $21m over 3 years to sign him.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I doubt he's expensive if he's going to be spending time in the minors.

[cmb0252]

I doubt he's expensive if he's going to be spending time in the minors.

 

Puig and Soler spent time minors, in Soler's case he is still in the minors, but you are right. Those were both considered elite talent with superstar ceilings. Igleias isn't in their range and won't command a $40M contract. I could see him get something in the high 20s-low 30s though which would obviously be affordable for even Ryan.