How do we know Steinbrenner didnt kidnap him outright?

/Truckload of money comes later.

Scott Boras was behind the wheel, no doubt.

El Duque dos!

Zombie Hitler: El Duque dos!

so you are SURE this kid is 23?

So, he can throw the ball really hard, is a lefty, but doesn't have much in the way of secondary pitches? And he has questions about his maturity?

I'd put my money on "middle relief" being the eventual destination for his career. And who wants to pay 30 million for a middle reliever?

farbekrieg: Zombie Hitler: El Duque dos!

so you are SURE this kid is 23?

I still don't know how old Hernandez is. You could put out any number and I wouldn't be shocked.

lacydog: So, he can throw the ball really hard, is a lefty, but doesn't have much in the way of secondary pitches?

Um, the scouting report I read (and the article says this too) says he has a plus slider and a plus curveball.

But his age is the real factor. Originally, he was 21 (which is what this article says). A day later, he was 26. At this rate, he'll be around 1000 before he's eligible to sign.

I've vacationed in Cuba twice. It's a beautiful country, and the people are great. The best part is the lack of poverty -- because they don't have the slums and destitution that places like Mexico and Jamaica have, it is a much safer place to visit. If I had to move to Latin America tomorrow, I would move to Cuba.

However, talking to the people there, they are fed up with their government. They want freedom to travel. They want to be able to start up their own businesses and work hard to make more money. I hope everything works out for them.

I look forward to seeing this guy pitch for the South Side.

NNH: I look forward to seeing this guy pitch for the South Side.

Right-o. Lets get Jose and Alexei on this, stat.

lacydog: So, he can throw the ball really hard, is a lefty, but doesn't have much in the way of secondary pitches? And he has questions about his maturity?

I'd put my money on "middle relief" being the eventual destination for his career. And who wants to pay 30 million for a middle reliever?

The New York Yankees would happily spend that money.

bubbaprog: The New York Yankees would happily spend that money.

Hell yeah. They're still hoping Igawa becomes good enough for middle relief.

DeWayne Mann: lacydog: So, he can throw the ball really hard, is a lefty, but doesn't have much in the way of secondary pitches?

Um, the scouting report I read (and the article says this too) says he has a plus slider and a plus curveball.

But his age is the real factor. Originally, he was 21 (which is what this article says). A day later, he was 26. At this rate, he'll be around 1000 before he's eligible to sign.

NNH: I look forward to seeing this guy pitch for the South Side.

JosephFinn:

Right-o. Lets get Jose and Alexei on this, stat.

Paging Jamie Torres: Jose, Alexei, and Dayan all want this young Cuban right away- Double AA with Dayan on the double!

Lost Thought 00: [xkcd extrapolating comic]

Heh. I was going to add that xkcd to the end of my post, but I didn't want it to be too obvious. Glad someone caught the reference.

Baron von Trapp: NNH: I look forward to seeing this guy pitch for the South Side.

JosephFinn:

Right-o. Lets get Jose and Alexei on this, stat.

Paging Jamie Torres: Jose, Alexei, and Dayan all want this young Cuban right away- Double AA with Dayan on the double!

Moshe Dayan (new window)?

lilbjorn: bubbaprog: The New York Yankees would happily spend that money.

Hell yeah. They're still hoping Igawa becomes good enough for middle relief.

I think they gave up on Igawa. He's going to be the highest paid AAA pitcher of all time.

El Duque was old as hell and he got the job done. Let's sign him.

/Loved the headline

aenimation - That movie was so bad it was actually uncomfortable to watch. Especially since Steinbrenner was actually IN the movie.

Brokenseas: I've vacationed in Cuba twice. It's a beautiful country, and the people are great. The best part is the lack of poverty -- because they don't have the slums and destitution that places like Mexico and Jamaica have, it is a much safer place to visit. If I had to move to Latin America tomorrow, I would move to Cuba.

However, talking to the people there, they are fed up with their government. They want freedom to travel. They want to be able to start up their own businesses and work hard to make more money. I hope everything works out for them.

"The best part is the lack of poverty"
One could surmise, the hated Cuban Goverment is the cause and effect of that minor fact. Every other country you mentioned has ties with a mother country who enjoys poverty and the profit it gives to the wealthy. Sure travel would be nice, and it's coming I'm sure.

jhva3: I think they gave up on Igawa.

Who knows? He could be up for a few games while they get Hughes stretched out to replace Wang.

So why does Strasberg get all the comparisons? There are other pitchers who throw 100.

Young Rory Calhoun: So why does Strasberg get all the comparisons? There are other pitchers who throw 100.

Because, in addition to his fastball (which, by the way, has been clocked as high as 103), he has 2 or 3 secondary pitches (some people say he throws a curve AND a slider, other people say it's just a slurve, everyone agrees he has a changeup) that are also essentially major league ready.

Oh, and he struck out something like 16 per 9 last season.

Buster Olney talked to a scout who claimed, right now, Strasburg is better than AJ Burnett.

DeWayne Mann: Young Rory Calhoun: So why does Strasberg get all the comparisons? There are other pitchers who throw 100.

Because, in addition to his fastball (which, by the way, has been clocked as high as 103), he has 2 or 3 secondary pitches (some people say he throws a curve AND a slider, other people say it's just a slurve, everyone agrees he has a changeup) that are also essentially major league ready.

Oh, and he struck out something like 16 per 9 last season.

Buster Olney talked to a scout who claimed, right now, Strasburg is better than AJ Burnett.

I'm not really trying to diss Strasburg but right now he's still a prospect. So comparing one prospect to another for the purpose of projecting their success in the majors would be like calling Ryan Leaf the next Peyton Manning before they both took the field.

The similarities may exist but the only thing comparing the two shows you is the hype around them.

lilbjorn: jhva3: I think they gave up on Igawa.

Who knows? He could be up for a few games while they get Hughes stretched out to replace Wang.

You never know, but I hope to god that they don't. Hughes should be good to go. Or Aceves. Or even Ian Kennedy looks better than Igawa(is he hurt or still tearing up AAA?). Whoever was scouting in Japan should be shot. 50 million dollars down the drain. I think we got more production out of Hideki Irabu.