Dodgers To Sign Cuban Infielder Alexander Guerrero

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com is reporting that the Dodgers are near completion on a $32 million  multi-year deal with Cuban defector Alexander Guerrero. Guerrero’s contract is said to be between 5-7 years in length.

Guerrero defected from Cuba this year and has been currently training in the Dominican Republic. In July, the infielder was granted free agency by MLB. Last Friday he was able to get an unblocking license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control which makes him eligible to sign with a Major League team.

The 26-year old Guerrero is a right-hand hitting infielder whose natural position is shortstop. He was involved in a little bit of controversy when he was not selected to be a part of the 2013 World Baseball Classic starting roster. Guerrero apparently didn’t play in the regular season thereafter.

With Juan Uribe and Mark Ellis in their final contract years (Ellis has an option for 2014), it is most likely that Guerrero would start at second base for the Dodgers for 2014.

The 5’10” 197 lb. Guerrero is a power-hitting infielder with speed. With Yasiel Puig’s success, this deal seems like a great opportunity for the Dodgers to pass on expensive free agents this winter like Robinson Cano and continue to invest in the international market.