Alexei Ramirez

by Wheelhouse on Sep 19, 2007 8:17 AM EDT

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3026151

Baseball agent Jaime Torres told ESPN that Alexei Ramirez, who led the Cuban league in home runs this season as an infielder/outfielder for Pinar del Rio, has left Cuba and intends to file for residency in the Dominican Republic.

Torres, who also represents White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, said Ramirez expects to apply to Major League Baseball for free agency.

Ramirez, who turns 26 on Sept. 22, played second base for Cuba at the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro but is primarily a shortstop and centerfielder.

According to Torres, Ramirez has been in the Dominican Republic for less than two weeks and is already attracting attention from scouts. Ramirez's wife is a Domincan citizen who recently completed medical school in Cuba, Torres said, and her citizenship allowed Ramirez to enter the country legally and makes him eligible for Dominican citizenship. The couple has two children.

Ramirez, says the agent, is comparable to Contreras as far as being "major league ready" immediately after leaving Cuba. "Right out of spring training, Ramirez will make a major league club," Torres said.

Torres said that he and Ramirez would address the media at a Thursday news conference in Santo Domingo.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o81usn3BtKA

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something tells me the yanks may be interested.........

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Do the Yanks need a CF?

I thought Mekly pretty much had that job locked up.

I mean, they certainly don't need a SS....

Boston, OTOH, might try to move Lugo. Heh. I'd love to see that: 3 FA SS in 3 years. :-D

by mraver on Sep 19, 2007 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

re

Cabrera is better suited to be a 4th OFer on a top tier squad. I don't think a .740 OPS from an OFer gets the job done in the Bronx. The Yanks certainly will be interested in an up grade if it is available

by ScottAZ on Sep 19, 2007 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Yanks? 2nd Baseman?

Did I misread this? He is a middle infielder, right? Seems more likely he would go to New York on the Omar Minaya visa program.

Did he play centerfield too?

by parish on Sep 19, 2007 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

CF

I remember he was pretty good in CF during the WBC.

But I wonder about the bat...

by Yakker on Sep 19, 2007 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

From the looks I've seen

He needs to gain some muscle. Right now he looks like he could have some speed but I doubt his power on a major league level. From the looks of it, I'd say he's probably around 6'1 185 though his offical weight and height have not been disclosed.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=597

by Havok1517 on Sep 19, 2007 1:10 PM EDT reply actions