With the signing of Rangel Ravelo (Mariners) and Yusniel Diaz, two big pieces in the minor league free agent market have come off the board. But there are plenty of interesting options are still available for teams, including players who recently defected from Cuba and those that play abroad.
The big name in the Cuban market this offseason is Cuban defector Yariel Rodríguez. According to scouting reports, the “Gallero de San Serapio” is valued at 50 million and does not have any type of restriction impeding his possible signing because he is over 25 years old and has played six years in a professional league. Rodríguez was solid and borderlining spectacular in his starts in the World Classic.
During that tournament Rodríguez tossed 7⅓ allowing two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Although he did not factor in any decision he posted a 2.45 earned run average, but did walk an alarming six batters during his two starts in the tournament.
In 54.2 innings of work during 2022 in the NPB Rodriguez gave up only seven earned runs. The right-hander had a 1.15 earned run average during 2022 and fanned 60, while only walking 18. During that campaign he did not allow a long ball and was named the reliever of the year in the land of the rising sun. The hurler also tallied 39 holds and notched six victories in 2022. The only reason the Rodriguez was not the team’s closer was because Raidel Martínez his countrymen held that role.
Cuban RHP Yariel Rodriguez (26) did a private workout today for the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres in the Dominican Republic, per sources.
The right-hander and free agent threw two innings. pic.twitter.com/sE2JfR9nKR
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 25, 2023
Another pitcher he was abroad named Roenis Elías could also be an interesting option for any ballclub. The left-hander has plenty of big league experience as a closer, reliever and starter. Last season the hurler split his season between Korea and the Cubs farm system. During his 22 starts with the SSG Landers of the KBO the southpaw posted an 8-6 record, 3.97 earned run average and fanned 93 batters in 131 ⅓ innings pitched over that span.
Although Elías is more than likely to re-sign in Korea or maybe even another Asian circuit, he would still be an interesting option for an MLB team’s bullpen as a situational lefty. The hurler opted not to pitch in the Dominican Winter League in order to rest his arm. Coming off a Tommy John surgery in 2022 the pitcher had not rested pitching in the minors, winter leagues and then the World Baseball Classic for Cuba.
Source: Cuban 1B/OF Rangel Ravelo (31) signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. The deal includes an invitation to major league Spring Training.
Ravelo spent 2023 in Triple-A with the San Diego Padres in El Paso and hit .310/.428/.473, 8 HR, 35 RBI in 59 games.… pic.twitter.com/8U3glqnWmh
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 26, 2023
Darién Núñez is another interesting option for an interested ballclub or could even end up in an Asian League. The flamethrowing lefty who is coming off Tommy John surgery pitched in the minors last season within the San Francisco Giants organization compiling a 1-0 record and 5.64 earned run average in 21 appearances as a reliever. Núñez also saw action in the big leagues with the Dodgers in 2021.
The native of Las Tunas, Cuba is armed with a near triple digit fastball and an array of sharp breaking pitches. Núñez saw a brief action in the LIDOM this winter with the Toros del Este posting a 9.00 ERA in two outings with the ballclub. Expect someone to give the talented 30-year-old a shot in a top tier league based on his repertoire alone.
Notable free agents:
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Seattle)
Luis Aviles IF
Norge Ruiz RHP
Juan Carlos Negret OF
Darien Nunez LHP
Diosbel Arias IF
Yusniel Diaz OF (San Francisco)
Laz Rivera IF
Roenis Elías LHP
Guillermo Heredia OF
Yoan López RHP