Mitt Romney Wins Maine Caucus
Bachmann Blasts Stern Over Criticism
The Rays aren't leaving any stones unturned to supply themselves with options in case Carl Crawford and/or Carlos Pena leave as free agents after this season. They confirmed Thursday that they've signed Cuban defector Leslie Anderson, a first baseman and outfielder, to a four-year deal.Anderson, who will get $3.75 million according to El Nuevo Herald, was one of more than 20 players who defected from Cuba via a boat to Mexico just before last year's World Cup. The 27-year-old was part of Cuba's World Baseball Classic team last year and has been working out in Mexico. His lawyer, Jaime Torres, thinks he'll be in the mix for a major league job this summer.
"I think this is a young man that can compete this year in the major leagues," Torres said. "Right now we're trying to see how quickly we can get him into camp."
We're not so sure. For one thing, Anderson hasn't even arrived in camp yet and we're drawing ever closer to Opening Day. For another, the Rays just signed Hank Blalock, another lefty swinging corner player who has the added benefit of actually playing in the major leagues before. Chances are the Rays are going to want the 27-year-old to spend some time getting acclimated in the minors while they figure out just what they've got.
On that front, it's worth noting that a February workout for major league teams left scouts unimpressed. Jorge Arangue of ESPN.com quoted one as saying that Anderson, who hit .320 in his eight-year career in Cuba, was "mediocre at best" without the necessary power to fill a corner spot with a big league team. Presumably that scout was either not from the Rays or was trying to clear the playing field for Tampa to get their guy without a bidding war.
Jose Julio Ruiz, a 25-year-old Cuban outfielder/first baseman, also took part in that February workout and is believed to be a superior hitter than Anderson. Reports have several teams chasing him, but he recently switched agents and that has slowed down the process of getting him into a big league camp.
Ron Paul, Rick Santorum Suggest Foul Play From Romney Campaign
Whitney Houston Dead At 48
TV SoundOff: Sunday Talking Heads
WATCH AND LISTEN: Whitney's Hits
Mitch McConnell Not Accepting Obama Compromise
Costa Concordia Video Shows Crew Reactions To Cruise Crash
Syrian Forces Rocket Homs As Arab League Meets In Cairo
Blogger Faces Possible Death Penalty For Tweets
WATCH: Mitt's Secret Campaign Strategy
Michael Smerconish: A Response to Sean Hannity
Linsanity Continues
Paul Ryan On Obama's 'Accounting Trick'
Sarah Palin 'Not Convinced' Of Romney's Conservatism
Mitt Romney Once Backed Provision He Now Decries
Some States Using Funds From Foreclosure Deal To Close Budget Gaps
Santorum Goes Aggressive
Man Reportedly Dead After Shots Heard Near National Mall
US Faces Tough Fight In Cash Smuggling Crackdown
Rick Santorum: GOP Race A 2-Man Contest
Ron Paul Reacts To Maine Caucus Results
AT&T Doubles Fee
Angry Mob Beats Suspected Kidnappers To Death
WATCH: Breitbart Explodes At Occupy Activists, Calls Them 'Filthy Freaks'
