From
George A. King III:
According to sources, the Yankees remain the favorites to sign Cuban shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria.
However, they have company in chasing the 21-year-old who defected from Cuba last year.
“There are five teams that are interested,’’ a source said.
The Yankees have long been the favorites to land Hechavarria for two reasons: They have the money, and they have spent more time than any team scouting him. They have seen him in open workouts in the Dominican Republic and he has been to their complex in the DR several times to work out. The most recent trip was last week.
“He has a body like (Alfonso) Soriano," a talent evaluator said of Hechavarria. “And he can hit.’’
...
“Things are going very well,’’ Hechavarria's agent, Bart Hernandez, said. “We should have news soon. The market has been strong. I can’t put a timetable on it, we are engaged with teams.’’
King goes on to speculate that the Yankees could trade Robinson Cano after this season to make room on for Hechavarria at second base. Now, I've never seen this kid play, and he could be great, but let's slow down on all the trade Robinson Cano talk. We have no idea how Hechavarria will do in the states or how long it will take him to make the majors, so suggesting they trade an All-Star second baseman to make room for him is slightly ridiculous. Let's see where he signs, how well he does in the minors, and what Cano does this year. Then, if he signs here and shows the Yankees he's ready for the majors, the Yankees can start to considering their options.
