Yankees sign promising Cuban prospect

[Jon_Vilma]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NEW YORK (AP) -- Cuban infielder Juan Miranda and the New York Yankees agreed Friday to a $2 million, four-year contract.He played with Pinar Del Rio in Cuba from 2002-04, and the Yankees said he hit .303 there with 27 homers, 73 walks and 87 strikeouts."He's got some juice in his bat from the left side. We like him a lot," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "He'll start in the Florida State League and we'll bring him along. We're going to respect the transition process."Miranda, a 23-year-old former teammate of ex-Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras, grew up in Consulacion del Sur, Cubs, and lives in Santiago, Dominican Republic."Juan Miranda has impressed our scouts with his talent and his strength," Yankees Dominican Republic scouting supervisor Ramon Valdivia said. "He is capable of playing the outfield and first base, but his biggest asset is his bat. He has the ability to hit for power while showing excellent plate discipline."Also, Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa took a physical Friday, part of the process of completing a $20 million, five-year contract. His agent, Arn Tellem, has been negotiating with the Yankees on performance bonuses that will be included in the deal.</div>

 

[Brooksie5]

That's an old prospect to be signing from Cuba. Guess they like what would be considered old prospects from Cuba. Contreras was a charm..

 

[AdropOFvenom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Dec 22 2006, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's an old prospect to be signing from Cuba. Guess they like what would be considered old prospects from Cuba. Contreras was a charm..</div>Yeah....most overseas imports can be as young as 16. After a few years of seasoning in the Minors this guy could probably be pretty good though.

 

[Jon_Vilma]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Dec 25 2006, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Dec 22 2006, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's an old prospect to be signing from Cuba. Guess they like what would be considered old prospects from Cuba. Contreras was a charm..</div>Yeah....most overseas imports can be as young as 16. After a few years of seasoning in the Minors this guy could probably be pretty good though.</div>It just took this one longer to escape.