One International free agent who is garnering some attention this offseason is Cuban right-hander Yaisel Sierra. He is considered the top unrestricted free agent from Cuba this offseason according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, who also adds that Sierra is not subject to the July 2 international signing guidelines and limits.
Sierra, 24, consistently clocks in at 94-97 mph on his fastball and he hit 98 mph in a showcase in front of 100 scouts last August in the Dominican Republic. He has also been throwing for teams each week for the past two months, writes Sanchez.
Some scouts think Sierra can be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, while others think he might be best suited for the middle of the rotation or even in a relief role potentially as a closer.
Sanchez speculates that Sierra could get a deal ranging from $27 million to a four-year, $32 million contract similar to what the Yankees gave starter Jose Contreras in 2002.
While scouts are impressed with his fastball velocity and movement, most believe he still needs to refine his slider and would benefit by adding a changeup into the mix. However, the big thing holding Sierra back has been an apparent lack of command and control.
In his last 163 innings pitched, spanning two seasons, Sierra has walked 95 batters and his career walk rate stands at 5.0 per nine innings.
Additionally, despite throwing in the mid to high 90s, his strikeout rate is just 6.6 per nine with an unimpressive 1.33 SO/BB.
In his last full season with the Cuban National Team in 2014, he posted a 6.10 ERA and 1.629 WHIP in 36 appearances – all in relief.
Given his uncertainty and whether or not he’d be able to slot right into a major league rotation or bullpen, Sierra appears to be a poor candidate for the Mets at $33 million – which they could put to much better use on a proven commodity like Joakim Soria, Tony Sipp or Antonio Bastardo.
