Sox sign Cuban Catcher Ibarra

[jacksonianmarch]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/04/red-sox-sign-cuban-catcher-ibarra.html

 

Dont know much about him, will do some research

[jacksonianmarch]

I read a few articles on him by some of the cuban writers.

 

He's stocky, 5'9" 200lbs and predominantly plays 3b and OF. But looks like a catcher and can play there well enough to sign a 4.5 mil deal. That seems to be his destination.

 

As a hitter, he seems to be more of a solid contact hitter, as he has hit .340 or higher for 2 straight yrs in the Cuban league. Not much power, but solid contact skills. Should be an intriguing guy to watch.

[Chamomile]

I read a few articles on him by some of the cuban writers.

 

He's stocky, 5'9" 200lbs and predominantly plays 3b and OF. But looks like a catcher and can play there well enough to sign a 4.5 mil deal. That seems to be his destination.

 

As a hitter, he seems to be more of a solid contact hitter, as he has hit .340 or higher for 2 straight yrs in the Cuban league. Not much power, but solid contact skills. Should be an intriguing guy to watch.

 

He seems pretty athletic for a big guy, he played primarily second base last year. In 2007-2008 he hit 363/.464/.525 and in 2008-2009 he hit 341/.470/.481. That's pretty good power someone who just turned 23 this month, especially at the catcher position.

[yeszir]

Can he throw out baserunners?

[jacksonianmarch]

You're gonna find out. He hasnt been a full time catcher, so they are gonna see what they have once they get him into EST.

[Chamomile]

A strong throwing arm is reportedly one of the reasons the Red Sox were interested in him. I've read in a couple places that he has a major league ready bat, but he still needs to work on his defense. He's played multiple positions and just began playing catcher two years ago.

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/

[example1]

You're gonna find out. He hasnt been a full time catcher' date=' so they are gonna see what they have once they get him into EST.[/quote']

 

A strong throwing arm is reportedly one of the reasons the Red Sox were interested in him. I've read in a couple places that he has a major league ready bat, but he still needs to work on his defense. He's played multiple positions and just began playing catcher two years ago.

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5137450

 

Apparently its going to be a Major League contract for $4.3 and he's going to be on the 40 man roster immediately... if ESPN is right. In the mold of the Jose Iglesias deal. Clearly the Sox see him with the big club soon.

 

This is surprising to me if they're looking at him as a catcher. He doesn't have a whole lot of experience there. I think this guy is a potential 3B or 1B ultimately, with ability to catch he probably has a ceiling as a good MLB catcher, but I wouldn't expect it.

 

They can't throw catching defense out the window entirely if they want to succeed in this division, yet they signed this guy aggressively. That tells me he must have a good bat.

[jacksonianmarch]

Either that or they had him work out behind the plate and liked what they saw. There are plenty of guys who get signed for big money with the hope of them catching. The Yankees did it last yr with JR Murphy. The kid played OF and 3b mostly, and only limited behind the dish. But in workouts, he was dynamite in terms of quickness and arm, he just needed fine tuning. My guess is that the sox see his bat as big league level and his defense as potential big league within 2 yrs

[Spudboy]

Why would the Sox move a 5'9" player to 1st base? Maybe he has arms like an orangutan and has a 38" vertical leap?

 

I doubt many here have ever seen the kid play. And it seems there is not a lot of detailed info on him. Everything is speculation at this point.

 

The Sox have two or three decent catcher prospects at the lower levels. Maybe they decided they want another one and may consider moving one of the existing ones in a mid-season deal? Who really knows?

[example1]

Why would the Sox move a 5'9" player to 1st base? Maybe he has arms like an orangutan and has a 38" vertical leap?

 

I doubt many here have ever seen the kid play. And it seems there is not a lot of detailed info on him. Everything is speculation at this point.

 

The Sox have two or three decent catcher prospects at the lower levels. Maybe they decided they want another one and may consider moving one of the existing ones in a mid-season deal? Who really knows?

 

If this is a guy who can put up a .900 OPS and is talented though to play C, 3B, and 2B at a high level, I imagine moving him to 1B is a logical move.

 

Despite a lack of details, we know that he was signed to a major league deal for a fair chunk of change. That tells us that the Sox think he's close enough to warrant using those as incentives to sign with them instead of someone else.

 

This also fits with their mission to develop players internally rather than through the FA market if possible.

 

All things being equal, I see nothing wrong with having a mlb ready bat in a 23 year old who can catch. That's a good addition for this club.

[example1]

Either that or they had him work out behind the plate and liked what they saw. There are plenty of guys who get signed for big money with the hope of them catching. The Yankees did it last yr with JR Murphy. The kid played OF and 3b mostly' date=' and only limited behind the dish. But in workouts, he was dynamite in terms of quickness and arm, he just needed fine tuning. My guess is that the sox see his bat as big league level and his defense as potential big league within 2 yrs[/quote']

 

I assume that they liked what they saw when they worked him out. They spent a lot of money to get him and he's being reported as a catcher, despite the majority of his experience at other position and the Sox lack of an answer internally at other important positions that he plays (specifically 3B). I think best case scenario he ends up being a servicable defensive catcher with a really good bat; worst case scenario he ends up being a good hitter who can play 1B, 3B and DH for the big club.

 

I like the move toward Cuban players.

[Dojji]

The thing that intrigues me is that if he fails at catcher he clearly has third base on his resume. That's a rather large franchise weakness right now, and it's a situation that's about to come up too, along with the catcher's position.

 

So it looks like Ibarra gets two bites at big league respectability. I like. Even if he's below average at either position, and he hits, he'll have a place on a team coming off the bench as an uber-flexible Ryan Doumit/Brandon Inge type .

[Dojji]

It's official: Ibarra signed for a reported 4.3 mil.

 

A guy who can play catcher, outfield, 3B and 2B? And supposedly has a refined approach at the plate? And is potentially as little as 1-2 years away at the time of signing? For $4M?

 

Score.

[WhiskeyBreath]

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2133084/sox-ibarra-altered-deal-after-failed-physical

[jacksonianmarch]

Sounds kinda fishy. You typically dont fail physicals over minor issues, and you definitely dont see a 75% reduction in bonus for a failed physical either unless there is some serious concern. Especially since he's jumped right back on the field. Wouldnt be surprised if they found an issue with his throwing arm or with one of his knees. Mostly because surgery for both would require significant rehab time and loss of potential return