The holiday season is upon us. So that means bonding with family and friends, exchanging gifts, shopping, changes in the weather, and holiday vacations are on everyone’s schedules. It also means that baseball’s “Hot Stove” season is in effect. With Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings set to commence, teams are very busy looking over their rosters, examining their farm systems, exploring potential trades, but most importantly, scouting the talent rich free agent market. Free agency is the biggest part of baseball’s offseason, and there are plenty of Latino players looking for new teams for 2016.
With that being said, here are the top five Latino free agents heading into the 2016 season…
5. Alexei Ramirez
“The Cuban Missile” as he’s become known has only played for one team his entire career. Since being signed by the White Sox out of the once isolated island nation in 2008, Ramirez has had somewhat of an up and down career. In 2015 the 34-year-old had a .249 batting average with 10 home runs and 62 runs batted in. His lifetime numbers are similar with a .273 average to go with 109 career homers, 542 RBI’s and a .310 career on base percentage. Ramirez tends to struggle offensively in colder weather, especially in April and late September.
His highest numbers come during the summer months. He can also be error prone on defense. Perhaps signing with a team in a warmer climate could help him pick up those offensive numbers. Aside from his defensive shortcomings, Ramirez has solid speed and range and can track down most ground balls and line drives.
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
Despite the fact that he just turned 30-years-old, this Venezuelan is still in the prime of his career. He put up a solid slash line last year (.265 AVG/.315 OBL/.430 SLG/.744 OPS) and he was very reliable on defense as he only committed nine errors in 136 starts. He will be looking for a high salary -somewhere in the $30-40 million dollar range annually- but he’ll be worth every penny.
3. Sean Rodriguez
Rodriguez put up very solid numbers while splitting time at the position with Pedro Alvarez. Now this Cuban-American is looking for a full-time starting role and he deserves one. In 140 games during the 2015 campaign (both regular season and postseason), Rodriguez showed that he can get the job done both offensively and defensively. He batted .246 with 17 RBI’s and 25 runs scored. On defense he had a .997 fielding percentage with only three errors, and 405 put outs.
He can also play second base, shortstop, third base, left field, and right field if called upon. Rodriguez is the dark horse of this year’s free agent class and will be a huge pick up for whoever signs him – just be sure to keep him away from the Gatorade coolers!!
2. Johnny Cueto
The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native started the season with the Cincinnati Reds and things were going nowhere fast. After being traded to the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline, Cueto got a new lease on life and finished 2015 with a World Series ring. Despite a below .500 win-loss record (11-13), Cueto still had a solid earned run average (1.13), and was among the leaders in strikeouts (176). He’s expected to earn a contract of well over $100-million. Now that’s something to shimmy about!
1. Yoenis Cespedes
Another one of baseball’s Cuban imports, Cespedes is the top free agent available on this year’s market. He started the year in Detroit but as they descended into mediocrity, he was traded to the New York Mets and became a big reason why they won the National League Championship. In just three seasons Cespedes already has a .271 lifetime batting average with 106 career home runs and 367 total RBI’s. He’s an offensive force, and is a special defensive talent as well. He is certain to command a contract of at least $130-million.
Let the bidding begin!