Phils watch Cuban prospect

The Phillies scouts watched a private workout of a Cuban prospect at their camp in the Dominican Republic today.

Yoenis Cespedes is such an interesting prospect that general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Pat Gillick both went to watch the center fielder themselves.

The Miami Marlins and New York Yankees have already held private work outs for Cespedes. The Chicago Cubs will schedule one as well.

As noted by Gelb:

Whether the Phillies would even consider dolling out close to $30 million for a 26-year-old outfielder who has never seen major-league pitching is anyone’s guess. Whether Cespedes will even become a free agent this winter is also unknown…

It’s likely the Phillies will opt for a known commodity over Cespedes. The Phillies have never paid more than $1.2 million for an international signing. That was South Korean pitcher Seung Lee, an unequivocal failure. So a bidding war for another international player is unlikely.

Yea, $30 million for a 26-year-old that hasn’t seen an Major League pitching is kind of risky.

But foreign players have worked before, such as Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki from Japan. But it’s also failed such as Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kaz Matsui.

Then there is a player like Aroldis Chapman who has yet to really show he is a bust or a gem.

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