Continue the Cuban Connection for Center Field

Yesterday I suggested that Mike Cameron would be a good "low cost" option in center field for the Braves. Today I'm turning my attention to a higher cost option, but still not a bank buster like Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand (or Andruw Jones). The youngest potential free agent center fielder is a 26 year old Cuban defector named Alexei Ramirez. Baseball America had this to say about him last month:

Here is a video of him playing in Cuba (he seems to have a really sweet swing):

Much like there were several reasons the Braves might be a good option for Cameron, there are several reason that the Braves might be a good option for Ramirez. The first of those is our current shortstop, Yunel Escobar, a Cuban defector himself. The second is a guy who could potentially be our backup catcher or utility infielder, Brayan Pena, who is also a Cuban defector, one who speaks good English and can help Ramirez adjust to U.S. baseball. One of the big problems with some international free agents in the past has been their initial transition to American baseball and living in the United States. Having teammates who have already gone through those trials may be an attractive selling point the Braves have.

That comfort factor and the lack of too much pressure to produce right away in the media-lite market of Atlanta could help to lure Ramirez here as our center fielder. A three or four-year contract may be enough to get it done, and he would certainly come cheaper than the top guys on the market. Of course, he is a bit of an unknown, but with several prospects like Jordan Schafer and newly acquired Gorkys Hernandez several years away, we would likely not have to wait too long to replace Ramirez should he not make a smooth transition to the majors. Remember, even Yunel Escobar was considered a risk when we drafted him in the second round in 2005, but just two years later he is already a solid major league contributor. Alexei Ramirez is supposed to be further along than Escobar was, and he may take less if no minor league time at all before he is ready for the majors.

Hey, we just traded our gold glove veteran starting shortstop for two unproven minor leaguers, it seems like we're in a risk taking mood this off-season. Yes, we need to spend money on starting pitching this off-season, but perhaps we have enough, after moving Renteria, to spend on both starting pitching and a center fielder - and while this signing would be a risk, the potential reward we may get from his production could be worth it. Yes, too, I know most of us want to see Schafer in center field sooner rather than later, but he is likely even more of an unknown quantity than Ramirez at this point.

Alexei Ramirez is apparently still trying to establish residency in the Dominican Republic, but once he does you may want to move him onto your radar screens.