Despite being on the verge of the World Series, the Red Sox are still making moves off the field. The team has signed Cuban right-hander Dalier Hinojosa to a minor-league contract with a $4 million bonus, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Ben Badler of Baseball America said the two sides had an agreement on Friday.
Here is a mini-scouting report, provided by Badler:
Hinojosa, 27, throws around 88-92 mph, with some reports that he has touched higher since leaving Cuba, albeit with inconsistent velocity. He throws a pitch that scouts describe as either a splitter or a changeup along with a slurvy breaking ball that, like many Cuban pitchers, he adds and subtracts from to vary the shape of the pitch.
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Several scouts believe Hinojosa, who’s around 6 feet, 200 pounds, fits best as a reliever. Given his age and experience, he figures to start in the upper levels of the minors, perhaps Triple-A Pawtucket.
Hinojosa has pitched for Guantanamo in the Cuban National Series -- the country's top baseball league -- since 2005. He posted a 3.40 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 121 2/3 innings spread across 18 starts and one relief appearance last season. Hinojosa defected in February.
Because he is older than 23, Hinojosa's bonus will not count against the Red Sox's annual international spending pool. The club signed shortstop Jose Iglesias for $6 million after he defected a few years ago and more recently were in the running for first baseman Jose Abreu, so they have a history of being pursuing Cuban players aggressively.
