The Los Angeles Dodgers’ taste for international flavor has not abated. According to reports, the Dodgers are set to sign Yadier Alvarez, a 19-year-old Cuban fireballer with a fastball that hits 99 miles per hour to a $16 million contract.
Sources: Dodgers expected to finish $16M deal with July 2 headliner Yadier Alvarez tomorrow. Cuban RHP is 19 with a huge arm. FB up to 99.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 2, 2015
Per True Blue LA Alvarez doesn’t come without risk. He’s only a teenager, and although he has top-shelf velocity, there is concern his stuff may not be as devastating with a starting pitcher’s workload.
On the other hand, he’s said to have “three above average to double plus pitches,” and could be a potential ace. For the Dodgers, it is worth a gamble. Their previous forays into the international market have been a success. Yasiel Puig, a fellow Cuban defector, is one of MLB’s most recognizable and marketable players. Alex Guerrero has been a solid and versatile asset this season,particularly while Puig was missing time with a hamstring injury, and Hyun-jin Ryu was an above-average No. 3 starter until this year, which he’s missed with shoulder trouble.
The Dodgers also splurged in the offseason on Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, who just recently arrived in the United States. He’s sidelined for the moment, but in 13 games at Double-A and Triple-A he’s slashing .358/.393/.528 with two home runs and seven RBI.
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