Yanks looking at Cuban defector Canizares

[CaptainThurman]

He's in Nicaragua with other Cuban defectors right now, playing some winter ball. Apparently, he was selected as Player of the Month (.318 BA, 18 RBI, 5 HR), and leads the league overall in RBI, HR, 3B and 2B. Could win the Triple Crown.

He started out in Cuba as a catcher but is now a corner outfielder. Any of our Cuba experts have any real data on him?

[ring403]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...l/13386734.htm

This month, the Yankees and Mets sent scouts to see Cañizares play with the Mets' Wilfredo Blanco, liking enough of what he saw to recommend a contract and a $20,000 bonus.

But he might have acted too late. Although Cañizares insists he is 26 years old, he already had played eight full seasons in the Cuban national series by 2002, when he was named MVP of the Intercontinental Cup tournament in Havana. The Cuban roster at that competition listed his birth date as Nov. 21, 1974, which would make him 31 now -- ancient for a 6-2, 220-pound catcher starting in pro ball.

Sounds like a marginal "prospect" at best.

[38Special]

Was already posted a week ago