Miami Marlins Rumors: Will Team Pursue Raicel Iglesias?

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Right-handed pitcher Raicel Iglesias officially defected from his home country, Cuba, and has taken up residency in Mexico. The next process for him will be to gain clearance from the United States Office of Foreign Office Control and the MLB to sign with teams this winter. Iglesias is another defect from Cuba coming to the United States to play baseball, and this was his second attempt to defect.

With Iglesias joining the market, it will be interesting to see which teams try to go for him. Iglesias is not known for his control, and indications from scouts say he will have to start off his career in the States at the minor-league level. He does possess a mid-90s fastball and good breaking ball, and those particular aspects of his pitching game are what teams may focus on when deciding what to give him.

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez got a three-year deal from the Philadelphia Phillies, and it would be interesting to see if the Miami Marlins make a play for Iglesias. Miami did not play for Gonzalez, but with the suspicion of Iglesias needing work in the minors, his price is going to be considerably lower. Iglesias could easily fit into the fifth spot of the rotation at some point during the season if he does not need too much polishing.

Miami is not expected to make any huge splashes, but an Iglesias move could make some sense in the grand scheme of things.

Ryan Gaydos is an MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. He comments on Miami Marlins rumors. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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