Two major league ready players, who are highly touted in Cuba? Sounds good to me. They also specifically mention the New York Yankees. Marti and Gomez attempted to reach the D.R. by boat and leave the country illegally. They were caught and banned from Cuban baseball. They supposedly did this to pursue a major league career. The numbers they put up look impressive, but it’s hard to judge based on what level of baseball they play over there. It’s a whole other story in the MLB. I say….why not take a chance on these guys?
A couple weeks ago, we covered Cuban stars Yadel Marti and Yasser Gomez defecting to the United States (by way of the Dominican Republic). Laura Albanese at Newsday has an update on the pair, and their hopes to make it to the big leagues.
The two hope to be represented by Jaime Torres, agent of Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Contreras. Torres says they’re both Major League caliber and are capable of playing in the big leagues immediately. They’re currently working out in Melville, NY.
Marti, 29, is hailed as one of Cuba’s best pitchers. The righty was their ace in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, throwing 12.2 scoreless innings. Gomez, 28, is a speedy outfielder and career .331 hitter in Cuba. He hit .397 over a 66-game span in Cuba’s 2008 national series tournament.
In the videoon the right side of the Newsday article, the two say they’re thankful to have a chance to play in the Majors, and are open to any teams because they’re playing to support their families. They do, however, specifically mention the Yankees, White Sox, and Red Sox by name.
Here are some thoughts…
“In Cuba, although we were good players, we were underestimated and disrespected. Injustices forced us to decide,” added Gomez.
“It was the only way for us to keep playing ball, because we couldn’t do that anymore in Cuba,” Marti said about the decision to defect.
“[Marti and Gomez] will be available for next season, if not for the first game for the first few days,” said Torres. “For the talent I have no fear, they are both ready to play with the best.”
“MLB baseball is no different than the level of international baseball that we have faced in recent years,” Marti said.
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Yankees pay tribute to Henderson / Grand jury to ponder Clemens testimony
Kevin Rozell
M. B. Rozell
Ray Rothfeldt
Eduardo Perez
We tend to forget in a flash that Cuba, even when almost did not make it to the first classic due to politics, went all the way to the gold medal round, leaving behind many MLB players on the way there.
So, these two ARE MLB ready, they just need a chance to prove it, just like White Sox Alexei Ramirez did as a “rookie” last season.
Go Yanks!
Hopefully they will get the chance to play for the yanks. I saw these two guys play a million times in Industriales when I lived in Cuba. They are very good and they have a big chance here in the MLB career. Que sigan pa lante que todo va a salir bien. GO YANKS !