Should Yankees Go After Raicel Iglesias?

Cuban defector Raicel Iglesias. Mandatory Credit: cuban-play.com

The Yankees have had some good luck with Cuban imports in the past (Orlando Hernandez) and some not so good luck (Jose Contreras). Should the Yankees head down that road again?

Yesterday, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, Cuban defector Raicel Iglesias will be throwing for major league teams in Haiti.  If the Yankees aren’t there, they aren’t doing things in the right way.

Iglesias won’t count against the international spending limits because he already has more than three years, though he hasn’t been cleared yet to sign in the MLB because he hasn’t been cleared by OFAC.

Iglesias has been clocked as high as 95 MPH according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. Iglesias could be a power arm for the bullpen for later on in the season, and that’s one of the things the Yankees can use. The way the bullpen is being used, Dellin Betances and David Robertson may get worn out and Shawn Kelley is injured.

Iglesias won’t cost that much to sign as a reliever, though there may be competition.

He had a 3.47 ERA in Cuba according to Obstructedview.com. He struck out 169 in 223 innings, but only gave up 202 hits.

Adding a player who can help down the road, especially when it won’t cost anything is the right thing to do. The Yankees need bring him in.