FWIW---If the Twins think our guy is better, perhaps we were smart to jump the gun on him. The Twins are a very unlikely landing spot for Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Diaz is looking to land a deal like the five-year, $25MM contract given Arruebarrena, says Wolfson, but Minnesota does not believe he is as good as his countrymate.
... Arruebarrena reports to Los Angeles Dodgers Associated Press Sports -- 2 minutes ago GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena reported to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, nearly three weeks after agreeing to a $25 million, five-year contract. ''I've thought about this for a year,'' Arruebarrena said through an interpreter. ''I'm just happy to be with the Dodger organization.'' The shortstop said he arrived in Arizona on Wednesday night from Miami, where he had been for a few days after leaving Haiti, where he had lived defecting from Cuba in November. He needed to acquire a work visa before he could join the Dodgers, who reached agreement with him on Feb. 22 and completed the deal at their complex in the Dominican Republic. Arruebarrena wore No. 11 - the number Manny Mota used with the Dodgers during his time in Los Angeles. Now a minor league hitting instructor with the Dodgers, Mota welcomed Arruebarrena to Camelback Ranch. ''Be proud to wear this,'' Mota said as he hugged Arruebarrena. Arruebarrena was welcomed by fellow Cubans Yasiel Puig and Alex Guerrero. He played with Guerrero on Cuba's national team and with Puig on their hometown club, Cienfuegos. ''I know him well,'' Arruebarrena said of Puig. ''We grew up together.'' Arruebarrena said he has not played since December and was anxious to begin batting practice and fielding drills. He thinks he can be in the major leagues this year. ''I just want to start practicing so I can get ready to be with the team,'' he said. __
His name is redundant, it says Arrue twice. For his jersey's sake I think you need to get rid of one of those Arrue's and go with: Arruebna or Barruena
He confirmed yesterday that his name is Arruebarrena thus eliminating the 2nd U in his name. http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/03...rruebarrena-confirms-last-name-only-has-one-u
New Dodgers infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena says he plays like pal Yasiel Puig By David Brown | Big League Stew -- March 13, 2014 DUSTIN NOSLER/DODGER DIGEST Erisbel Arruebarrena and his buddy, Yasiel Puig There is another. Infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena advertises himself to be similar to longtime friend and new Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yasiel Puig. He plays with lots of flair and emotion — which is "typical of Latinos,” Arruebarrena is quoted as saying by reporter Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. It's certainly typical of Puig, whose rollicking rookie season was celebrated and bemoaned simultaneously while he pushed the figurative envelope, or pushed buttons — depending on how you took it. Two Puigs = twice the fun! A shortstop by trade who figures to reach the majors at some point this season, Arruebarrena reported to camp Thursday after visa snags. He recently signed a five-year, $25 million contract. Hernandez writes: Arruebarrena and Puig have known each other since they were 9 years old. They lived near each other in the province of Cienfuegos and played for its team in the Cuban league.“From the time we were small we played together,” Arruebarrena said.Arruebarrena also knew Alex Guerrero from their days together on Cuba’s national team.“You get to a new team and there are Cuban players, players you know, it’s really emotional,” he said.Arruebarrena declined to talk about his defection from Cuba and said he hasn’t been told at what level he would play at the start of the season. ASSOCIATED PRESS Arruebarrena, playing for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic Dodgers great and coach Manny Mota dropped by during the interview and gave Arruebarrena his blessing to wear uniform No. 11 — which Mota did while becoming one of the all-time great pinch hitters. "Wear it with pride," Mota told him. David Brown edits Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rdbrown@yahoo-inc.com and follow him on Twitter! __
