How about... Erisbel Arruebarruena?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets to scout Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena this weekend, sources Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/sources-mets-scout-cuban-defector-arruebarruena-article-1.1537726#ixzz2mYwRoJzK A new possibility for shortstop has emerged for the Mets, as the team plans to send scouts to a showcase this weekend for Cuban defector Erisbel Arruebarruena, according to major league sources. The 23-year-old Arruebarruena, who has drawn comparisons to Detroit's Jose Iglesias, was the starting shortstop for Cuba's World Baseball Classic team this year. Baseball America's Ben Badler was first to report his defection last month, and intention to play in the United States. The publication ranked Arruebarruena as the no. 10 prospect in the tournament not signed to a major league team. "At 6 feet, 195 pounds, Arruebarruena has clean hands, quick actions and good body control," Badler wrote. "He's a below-average runner, but his quick first step and instincts give him good range. He has a quick transfer and a plus-plus arm with accuracy, which allows him to make throws from deep in the hole and turn 4-6-3 double plays with ease." Arruebarruena's offensive abilities are not as strong, and he might need time in the minor leagues. "The bat," Badler wrote, "is a major source of concern with Arruebarruena, even more so than with Iglesias and more along the lines of Marlins Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria." The Mets have been seeking a change at shortstop, though they could end up granting Ruben Tejada another chance. Jhonny Peralta emerged as their first free agent target, but he signed with St. Louis. The Mets then non-tendered backup shortstop Justin Turner, leaving Tejada and Wilfredo Tovar as the top in-house options. Arruebarruena's representatives at Praver Shapiro Sports Management did not immediatetly confirm details, but a person planning to attend the showcase said it will be a two-day affair, this Friday and Saturday, at the Yankees complex in the Dominican Republic.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If they do sign Arruebarruena, he'll set a new club record for lengthiest last name. The 13 letters in his name would pass Jason Isringhausen and Doug Mientkiewicz, each with 12.

[Frayed Knot]

I feel like this is where the Austrian Emperor should step in and say: 'His name, it has ... too many letters'

[metirish]

Pronunciation ? Aru-barr-wayna

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

No bat to speak of, and below-average speed (but okay range, considering)? So... he's a raw, one-and-a-half-tool player?

Well, at least he's got clean hands. It's HARD to get a kid to properly value that, believe you me.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, that whole scouting report sounded familiar. Like an upside of Rey Ord��ez and a downside of Tim Bogar with a Rafael Santana the middling outcome.

[Zvon]

Oh joy, we are going to look at someone. I guess no actual moves until we see if that salmon was worth the price.

[Edgy MD]

Sheesh with the sarcasm.

It's a real damned-if-the-do-damned-if the-don't scenario of an offseason here.

[nymr83]

pass on another over-hyped foreign middle infielder. if he doesnt have a good bat i'm not interested because i'm sure the glove will fall well short if the hype too.

[Frayed Knot]

He's 23 y/o (at least according to that article) which makes him approx two years older than the average college-age draft pick. But if he were a college kid coming into the draft with that kind of resume it wouldn't be at all unusual to draft him and see how things progress.
Cuban players are kind of in a separate category all by themselves because of the unknown factor but if this guy is destined for the minors then the price tag isn't likely to be that high so maybe it's best to just think of this as an extra draft pick. Hell, even Chapman and Puig and Cepedes required some minor league time and those deals involved tens of millions.

[Edgy MD]

Does that report really qualify as over-hype?

[Benjamin Grimm]

If it does, then this guy is really bad.

Arruebarruena may not be great, but if he's cheap and better than Ruben Tejada, then why not take a chance on him? The Mets don't exactly have a "glut" at shortstop.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Depends. How clean are those hands, really? I mean, decently-trimmed-cuticles clean? Should-be-showing-me-platinum-necklaces-on-the-back-of-the-Times-Magazine clean? Tell me he uses Kiehl's on those knuckles during the winter months, at least.

[Fman99]

Somehow I missed earlier the news that Justin Turner had been non-tendered. I wonder how well the Cuban dude is at whacking guys in the face with pies.

[seawolf17]

Fman99 wrote: Somehow I missed earlier the news that Justin Turner had been non-tendered. I wonder how well the Cuban dude is at whacking guys in the face with pies.

If that's a skill you really need, then you go back and get John Buck.

[Ceetar]

seawolf17 wrote: Fman99 wrote: Somehow I missed earlier the news that Justin Turner had been non-tendered. I wonder how well the Cuban dude is at whacking guys in the face with pies. If that's a skill you really need, then you go back and get John Buck.

pies are played out. Let's step up the game and have Curtis crack eggs over people heads instead.

[ashie62]

Didnt the Mets just draft a SS in the first round?

[Edgy MD]

If by "just," we mean June 2012. But that's certainly no reason to not pursue and sign as many talented shortstops as is cost-effective.

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: Didnt the Mets just draft a SS in the first round?

Yes, but neither he (Gavin Cecchini) nor this potential Cuban signee are going to be ready to man the SS position at CitiField this year.

[Lefty Specialist]

Hell, sign him. I'd rather see Fidel himself play short instead of Ruben Tejada.

[ashie62]

Fidel can't move to his right...only left...

[Edgy MD]

And not onlys that, I really prefer American
women. They do things Russian girls never
dream of doing... like showering.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess I missed this, but he signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Dodgers three weeks ago.

[Ceetar]

I read that the second u isn't actually in his name.

[Guest themetfairy]

I have no chance of ever learning how to spell this one....

[Edgy MD]

Part of me thinks poor Ralph died trying to figure out how to pronounce this guy's name.