The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, but with deals for high-upside pitchers like Matt Garza sometimes tough to come by, or too rich in prospect compensation to complete, big money teams might be eyeing a different route-Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is a 26-year-old Cuban hurler, whose agent Jaime Torres believes will be signed by next week. Speaking with ESPNDeportes.com, Torres said, "I do not think it will happen this weekend. But, fortunately, I hope to have an agreement for next week. While the more interested clubs are making their last internal consultations, we are working on the visa process that [Gonzalez] will need to come to the United States."
With the astounding success of recent Cuban imports such as Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds, Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics and Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gonzalez will not likely be a cheap addition.
That is why the list of teams after him all have one thing in common: the ability to add large figures to their payrolls. According to Torres, the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Cubs are all after him. He said that the Twins and Marlins have expressed interest as well, although their payroll restrictions have left them as secondary contenders.
Torres is marketing Gonzalez as the type of player who can join a club and almost immediately contribute to a playoff push. "[Gonzalez] could help a team this season," Torres said. "[He'd] only need to go to the minor leagues a couple of weeks and make a few [starts] before debuting in the major leagues. Some of the clubs more interested were evaluating him for a long time, way before he came out of Cuba."
Gonzalez defected from Cuba earlier this year and has been in Mexico. As a Cuban defector over 23 years old with three or more professional seasons under his belt, he is not subject to MLB's new international signing rules.
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