For more than a decade, Yunesky Maya’s name has been synonymous with dedication, experience, and leadership on the mounds of winter baseball. His history with the Águilas Cibaeñas is not only written in statistics, but in crucial moments, memorable series, and a commitment that transcends the uniform.
Today, that bond is strengthened with a new role: Bullpen Coach of the team from Santiago, RD for the 2025-2026 LIDOM season. For those who have closely followed the Pinar del Río native’s career, this announcement comes as no surprise.
Maya was much more than a pitcher during his time with the Águilas: he was a guide, example, and anchor of stability during an era when the Águilas pitching needed a strong voice and arm. Between 2017 and 2024, he became a key figure in the rotation, a member of two championship teams, and a role model for young pitchers who today recognize his influence on their careers.
In other news the Águilas are in negotiations to bring back infielder César Prieto for his third season with the ballclub. The Cardinals infielder is hitting .286 with eight homers and 53 runs batted in this season in 91 games with Memphis, the franchise’s Triple-A affiliate.
Cubans that have signed with teams this winter:
LIDOM:
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Eddy Díaz IF (Estrellas)
Ernesto Martínez Jr IF-OF (Estrellas)
Andrew Pérez LHP (Licey)*
Raynel Delgado IF (Águilas)
Liga ARCO:
Albert Lara IF (Culiacán)
Orlando Martínez OF (Culiacán)
Leonys Martín OF (Los Mochis)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Los Mochis)
Yadir Drake IF-OF (Mexicali)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Mexicali)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Obregón)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Obregón)
Julio Robaina LHP (Guasave)
LVBP:
Geisel Cepeda OF (La Guaira)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Lara)
LBPRC:
No Cuban signed as of yet.
LBPN:
Maikol Pérez OF (Chinandega)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Chinandega)
*Cuban-American