Cuban Infielder Alexander Guerrero Cleared By OFAC To Sign Contract
The Dodgers have had their hand in most international signings and they got word over the weekend and again today that Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero has been cleared to sign a contract.
Guerrero reportedly agreed to a seven-year deal with the Dodgers in late July, but didn’t sign the deal since he wasn’t able to by the OFAC. Since then, several teams including the Twins, Red Sox and Cubs have also been interested in his services, but the Dodgers remain the favorites.
According to Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN Deportes, Guerrero is not only cleared to sign a deal, but it could be announced any minute:
Cuban IF Alexander Guerrero has been cleared by OFAC. His signing will be made official any minute now
— Dionisio Soldevila (@dSoldevila) September 9, 2013
Unlike their signing for Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers have had competition for Guerrero mostly from the Minnesota Twins who reportedly would go all-in for his services.
While Mark Ellis has been solid at second base, the Dodgers hold a $5.75 million option on him and it’s unlikely they’ll bring him back at that salary. Guerrero would be the answer at second base as the 26-year old has been working out at the Dodgers complex in the Dominican Republic and if he signs, could start next season.
However, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent at season’s end and while the Dodgers maintain they won’t enter those sweepstakes, he could be interested in a deal.
If a deal with Guerrero is made by the Dodgers he likely wouldn’t have an impact this season, but it would be shocking if he wasn’t the starting second baseman on opening day next season.
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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about Matt Kemp’s rehab.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=morJ4e8eYpk
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