Watch for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

This week, as you might have already saw, has been all about the trade deadline, and Ryan Braun. Alex Rodriguez is probably next, as the MLB continues to hunt down players with alleged PED use.

I want to write about someone before he comes to the big leagues. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is the number 1 pitching prospect out of Cuba. Gonzalez is a 6’3’’ 26 year old with a high leg kick and a two time represent of the Cuban national team in the 2009 and 2011 World Baseball Cups. He relies more on dominant pitching rather than moving the ball around. That means that he relies comfortably on his fastball, which is around the low-90’s on average but can bump to 96. He also throws a curve, splitter, and change-up. 

Gonzalez’s agent, Jaime Torres, believes that his client can help a major league team this year and expects to have him sign in the next couple of days. Because he is 26 years old and a declared free agent by Bud Selig, he can go right into the MLB. 

Teams that were interested in him last weekend (in no particular order) was the Dodgers, Cubs,  Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Phillies, Blue Jays, Twins, and Marlins. Sources tell me that the Twins and Marlins are not the favorites to sign, and are out of contention now. Last weekend, Peter Gammons of MLB Network reported that the Dodgers would offer a five year, $50 million contract to Gonzalez, but now the Dodgers are “not pursuing” Gonzalez. Remember, this Dodger team just took a game and a half lead in first over the D-Backs in the NL West, even though they are only 6 games above .500. Although, also remember that they have pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Zack Greinke, as well as just getting Ricky Nolasco from the Marlins. They also still have Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, and Josh Beckett as well. They may not need Gonzalez anyways, but it could be an added bonus.

Well now we’ve eliminated three of the nine already. Torres has told reporters that Gonzalez has limited his decision to five teams. With the Rangers just getting Matt Garza from the Cubs, and just had an amazing start by him, I think they’ll hold off. That leaves us with the Cubs, Yankees, Phillies, and Blue Jays.

The number one contender? It looks like the Red Sox. Boston president and CEO Larry Lucchino said this morning that the organization is looking “pretty hard” at the Cuban righty. Gonzalez has reported that the Red Sox are one of five teams that he is looking that. The Red Sox would not have to give up anything to get Gonzalez, just money. 

It looks like Gonzalez could be a ready No. 3 or 4 starter, or a long reliever, for any team that wishes to buy him. I can’t wait to hear where he declares, because he can make a huge impact on any team.

Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com with any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd