Mets sign Cuban Defector

[Pogotheostrich]

I hadn't seen anything about this. Sounds like a good pickup for the Mets.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7621057

[perlick29]

Maels Rodriguez would've been a better bet. A lot of people think that because this kid Soler has too violent a motion right now, it is conducive to the big injury. He can definitely pitch, but the Mets minor league organization has had a bad rep in the past with blowing out kids arms.

[Amazinz]

They had actually agreed to a deal in principle awhile ago. They just finally got it inked.

The Mets' reputation with blowing pitcher's arms out is more of a holdover from the days of Generation K. If anything the Mets are far too conservative now. It's like they cannot find a happy median.

[raiders_umpire]

it will be interesting to follow his progress this year and see how he performs..... he could be a big help to the mets in bullpen this year if he gets his visa and agent problems straightened out......


one thing that worries me is this though.....

Quote:
''We played on the same team for about eight years,'' Jose Contreras said.


Contreras is "supposedly" 32. He was signed two years ago ("30"). He would have played played for the national team for the previous eight years (starting at least at "22", if not "earlier").

Soler, 10 years ago, would have been "14".

Anything can happen in Cuba, but I find it tough to believe that Cuba would have "true" 14-year-old pitchers on their national team.

The "kid" is probably 28. At least.

the biggest problem with giving these defector cubans and other nations is the players age???????

[Amazinz]

Well Soler is having trouble with his passport. He is stuck in the D.R. because he tried to enter the country with a fake one. So he is almost certainly older than reported.