MLB Rumors: Dodgers won’t pursue Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez
By Mike Dyce
Despite initial reports that pegged the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorite to sign Cuban right-handed pitcher, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez,the Dodgers seem unlikely to pursue him. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com explains that financially it doesn’t make sense with their pitching line up.
Ken Gurnick writes on MLB.com:
"Speculation has persisted that the deep-pocketed Dodgers, after the success of Cuban defector Yasiel Puig, have offered a contract for as much as $50 million for Gonzalez, a right-hander. But the source insists the Dodgers are not part of the process.The Dodgers already have roughly $200 million in future commitments to starting pitchers Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett. It will likely take another $200 million or more to keep Clayton Kershaw a Dodger for the long term. And they have some promising starters in the farm system like first-round picks Zach Lee and Chris Reed and 16-year-old Julio Urias."
Gonzalez was suspended for the better part of the last two seasons for trying to flee Cuba. He finally was successful and fled Cuba earlier this year. He landed in El Salvador before working out in Mexico City and eventually making his way to Tijuana. He even pitched a series of showcases with the Tijuana Toros.
Other teams who are interested include: Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.