STARS without a job: DE LOCOS Cuban free agency in 2023

By Juan Paez

The 2022 Major League Baseball season hasn’t started yet, but it’s always a good time to find out which Cubans could become free agents at the end of the World Series. In particular, the class of 2023 would be made up of Cuban stars of historical stature, because at least for now Yulieski Gurriel, Joseph Abreu Y Aroldis Chapman They would be part of that group that would look for new teams for the 2023 season.

Starting with Gurriel, the Houston Astros exercised the option on his contract to play in 2022, but that deal will end with the last out of the Fall Classic. Due to his age (he will turn 38 on June 9), Yuli has an obligation to repeat a great season offensively and with the glove to see if he can even avoid entering free agency and get the sidereals to extend their current contract.

Gurriel will be followed by Pito Abreu, the historic Chicago White Sox first baseman entering the final year of a three-year, $50 million deal. With Abreu just turning 35, it’s hard to think the Whites will let go of who is currently the captain of the lineup and the 2020 MVP winner. This seems more unlikely especially since Chicago, at this point, does not have a clear replacement for Cienfuegos.

Last among the three is Chapman. For a topic that we already explained in SwingFullwhich has to do with the possibility that the Yankees replace the left-handed closer At the end of his contract, he is perhaps the one who has the best chance of having a new team for the 2023 campaign. This year, the firefighter should clear the doubts around him with a good performance in the ninth for the New Yorkers. Chapman will turn 34 on February 28.

THERE IS MORE

The three aforementioned stars will not be the only Cubans whose contracts will expire at the end of the next World Series. In the background, there is the utility Aledmys Diaz, who is in his fourth season with the Astros and will turn 32 on August 1. Diaz has shown consistent production and his usual defensive versatility in Houston, but has been a frequent victim of injuries.

William Heredia would also join this list. The Count signed a one-year, million-dollar contract with the Atlanta Braves to play in 2022, so (if his contract is not renewed before he tries his luck in free agency) he would be out of a job at the end of the season. 2022.

Apart from Díaz and Heredia, there are two players who could increase this ranking, although their circumstances are uncertain. Jose Iglesias he is still looking for a team for next season, but it is highly likely that he will sign a one-year contract (if so, he would become a free agent by 2023). the other is yasiel puigwho will play in Korea in 2022, but could try his hand at the Majors if his first season in Asia does well.

In total, there are five Cubans whose contracts will expire after the upcoming tournament, a quintet that has given more joy to the Cuban army in recent history. We’ll see where they end up.

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STARS without a job: DE LOCOS Cuban free agency in 2023