In an offseason that has been fast and furious for Cubans, more moves have come to pass. Andy Ibáñez who was DFA’d by the Dodgers was claimed off waivers by the Athletics, while Víctor Mesa Jr who suffered the same fate with the Marlins was traded to their in-state rival the Tampa Bay Rays and Cuban-American lefty Andrew Pérez signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Tampa Bay The Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins agreed Friday to a trade that sent outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to the Rays in exchange for minor league infielder Angel Brachi. Mesa who was designated for assignment by the Marlins Tuesday to make room after claiming pitcher Garrett Acton off waivers, remains in Florida and now joins the Rays. In 2025, at the Triple-A level, Mesa hit .286/.352/.460 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and a 121 wRC+ in 52 games. The 24-year-old outfielder was called up to the majors and, in 16 games, hit .188/.297/.344 with one home run, six RBIs, and an 81 wRC+.
In Ibáñez’s case he was claimed off waivers on February 6 by the Athletics organization after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers after roster adjustments. The Cuban signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on January 13 but did not make the cut. The infielder spent the last three Major League seasons with the Detroit Tigers. With the Tigers, Ibanez posted a .239/.301/.352/.653 slash line, hitting four home runs and driving in 21 runs for the American League squad.
In another instance of left-hander Andrew Pérez has signed with the Kansas City Royals. The southpaw from Orlando, Florida spent last season with the Charros de Jalisco in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol posting a 1-1 record and a 6.75 earned in 37 games with the Mexican squad. This winter Pérez once again pitched with the Tigres del Licey and sported a 2.45 earned run average with the Dominican squad. Pérez will report early to camp in an effort to impress the Royals brass and give himself a shot at making the team’s roster out of Spring Training.