The latest Cuban defector is ready to make his way to the major leagues, as a report from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the youngster’s agent saying he will sign a major league contract in the next several days. Jaime Torres reportedly stated that Aledmys Diaz will look to sign a major league contract by Friday or Saturday.
“He is prepared to move very quickly,” Torres said of the timetable for signing.
Diaz was taking a private workout for the Cardinals on Wednesday, and Strauss reports that the club is expected to make an offer for the shortstop.
“He’s a player we’ve had interest in for awhile and the next natural step in the process was to put him in front of our people in this setting,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Wednesday afternoon.
Other clubs believed to be interested in Diaz include the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.
It appeared as though Diaz would sign with a club last season, but he was suspended for one-year after he was caught falsifying his age. Since Diaz was only 22 at the time, he wanted to appear older to be able to sign a MLB contract with none of the international rookie restrictions. On Wednesday Diaz turned 23, and is now available to be signed at any amount.
Diaz hit .315/.404/.500 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 313 plate appearances his final year in Cuba. He is a natural shorts stop but is also able to play 2nd base, and 3rd base. Reports on Diaz’s defensive ability are mixed, but we have included a highlight package below.
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