Could Atlanta Braves Sign Another Second Baseman??…From Cuba

Reports are out from Ben Badler of Baseball America that the 3rd ranked player in Cuba is leaving the country for a shot at Major League Baseball.  Jose Miguel Fernandez is a second baseman with already quite the résumé and guess who is still in search for a second baseman….the Atlanta Braves.

Fernandez is a 27-year-old who played in the Cuba’s Serie Nacional for seven seasons.  In 2013-2014 he hit .326/.482/.456 with 65 walks and 10 strikeouts in 314 plate appearances.  In 2014-2015 he was off to another hot start, but was suspended for the season because they found out Fernandez tried to leave the country in October of 2014.

Here is an insert from Badler’s post about Fernandez and what kind of player he can become in the US.

"With his bat-to-ball skills and ability to manage the strike zone, Fernandez is a potential high OBP threat in the major leagues, although his power is below-average. Speed isn’t part of Fernandez’s game, and his thickening lower half (listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has hampered his range at second base, where he’s at best an adequate defender. Fernandez also spent time at third base during the 2013-14 season, though his arm strength is better suited at second."

With these “flaws” and being another Cuban player, would the Braves even look his way?  I think they should.

The Braves may be turning the other way because of recent setbacks with Dian Toscano.  Toscano who was signed late 2014, wasn’t able to get his papers cleared and is just now getting on the field for the Braves (Winter League play).

Atlanta traded for former Cuban star Hector Olivera in July and have Adonis Garcia (from Cuba) on the roster.

"Fernandez will have to establish residence in another country and then be declared a free agent to be eligible to sign with a team."

One positive to Fernandez is that he’s exempt from the international bonus pool.  But this also means the Braves would have to beat out 29 other teams for a chance to sign Fernandez.

Whether the Braves look to sign Fernandez or not, he will be on a MLB team before Opening Day…maybe not playing, but on the roster.

What do you think…do the Braves have a realistic chance at signing Jose Fernandez?