Notebook: Mariners set to add Cuban CF Guillermo Heredia
Feb 23, 2016, 9:24 AM | Updated: 12:23 pm
There’s one more day before the Mariners’ spring-training clubhouse gets a little more crowded as position players report for physicals on Wednesday. The pitchers have had their head start with the final bullpen rounds (there are three groups) before live batting-practice sessions start today.
The Mariners have yet to confirm this, but according to multiple reports they have agreed to a contract in the $500,000 range with Guillermo Heredia, a 25-year-old center fielder from Cuba. Heredia defected to Mexico last year and was declared a free agent in July. He is exempt from the international bonus pools.
Related: Latest news, photos, video and more from Mariners spring training
Heredia, who is known as a defense-first center fielder, hit .285/.376/.418/.794 in four professional seasons in Cuba. He should be able to provide much-needed depth at the position with Boog Powell being the only other center fielder in the system who is close to big-league-ready. It’s an interesting way to add depth and the second signing of a Cuban defector this month by the Mariners following their signing of Dainer Moreira, a 31-year-old shortstop.
Notes
• If you missed it, I sat down with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Monday afternoon and got his thoughts on getting to know his new staff and managing Felix Hernandez.
• Scheduled to throw bullpens today are: Taijuan Walker, Wade Miley, Joel Peralta, Donn Roach, Steve Cishek, Justin De Fratus, Casey Coleman, Blake Parker and Paul Fry.
• Ketel Marte made his first appearance in camp today.