Yankees interested in Yunesky Maya
ByVia MLBTR, the Yankees have interest in 28-year-old* Cuban defector Yunesky Maya, who is now free to sign with any team. Farm director Mark Newman will be on hand to watch the righthander work out in the Dominican Republic this Friday. Maya reportedly offers a fastball that touches 94, plus a slider, curveball, changeup, and sinking fastball. At least two independent sources confirmed that scouting report, which is better than nothing. He’s listed at 5-foot-11, 170 lbs. on the World Baseball Classic site, so he’s a tiny fella.
The Yankees will potentially have two openings in their rotation next year, but you’d think that they’d prefer a little more certainty in those spots. These Cuban guys tend to be hit or miss. I suspect another team will give him a clearer shot at a starting job, so the Yanks might have to overpay if they want to land him.
* you never really know with these Cuban players
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El Duque finally turns 30 this year, right?
Maya :: means unknown, uncertain, illusion in Indian.
– I would say tread carefully
// half kidding
It’s Hindi. There is no language called ‘Indian.’
/linguist-pick
Thats true. I thought ‘Hindi/Sanskrit’ would go over everyone’s head.
Good catch.
This is a pretty knowledgeable crowd. ‘S why I read & comment.
Touche. My experience as a Yankee fan is enriched by reading some of the comments/articles here.
RAB is like the 3rd website i visit as part of my morning ‘catch up with the news’ sites.
At best, what type of prospect is Maya?
The only thing that scares me is the 1st name.
Worst case scenario we can trade him to the Royals for Grienke in a year.
Stick to the plan….
We might have to chip in 1 tool first baseman though. Maybe we can sign Mike Jacobs and include him in the deal. I’m sure he’s “the one that got away” to Dayton Moore.
I say Melky + IPK should do it, maybe throw in a fringe prospect or two.
/2007′d
And the Mets are interested, that should set alarm bells. If Omar the evaluator likes somebody, be careful.
He’ll never succeed unless he learns to throw a gyroball.
The Openings should go to
1. Joba (Give him one full season to let it fly)
2. Cliff Lee (If Andy Retires)
I would reverse those options pendiing Joba’s final numbbers this year. If he struggles this year (I certainly hope he doesn’t) I wouldn’t feel comfortable moving him to the rotation.
Even if he doesn’t retire I think they should sign Lee.
No starting job for Joba. thats it.
I am against signing IFA pitching. It takes latin pitchers soooo long to reach MLB level as a Yankee. I may be okay with it as long as it is not 7 figure bonus. Drafting pitchers is cheaper.
He’s 28. I don’t think they’re think 5 years from now if they sign him.
If Beckett was not on DL today, would last game be replayed easily?
Sounds like he’s worth a look. If they sign him soon and get him a 1/2 season in the minors, they’d have a better idea of whether he’s a candidate for one of those rotation spots. I don’t know how this guy compares to El Duque as a prospect/defector, but Orlando needed only 9 minor league appearances (in which he went 7-1 with a 1.27 whip) before becoming an effective major league starter.
There’s also a chance the Yankees will need a starter this season between Javy’s early struggles, Hughes’ pitch count limit, and the possibility of injury. It would at least give them another option, and probably a relatively cheap one. Lee is going to cost 15-20 mill for several years, and even #3 starter types tend to command $10+ mill per as free agents.
If they were to move Joba to the rotation at some point maybe this little guy is better off in relief… 5-11, 170 doesn’t sound much like an MLB starter. Depending on the price and odds he can be effective in the show, could be a good relief prospect. Hard to have too many good bullpen arms.