Dodgers scouting director Logan White was in the Dominican Republic on Friday to get a look at Cuban defectors Yasser Gomez, an outfielder, and right-handers Yadel Marti and Juan Yasser Serrano, who were recently declared free agents.
Marti, 30, who twice led Cuba's Serie Nacional in winning percentage and made the all-tournament team in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 after throwing 12 1/3 scoreless innings, is considered the top prospect of the three. White declined to discuss the showcase, but other scouts who were in attendance said Marti, who defected in December, was unimpressive, throwing 85-89 mph before pulling a groin.
White said the Dodgers also plan to check out left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who is in Spain after defecting from the Cuban national team in July. Chapman, 21, is a two-time Cuban league strikeout champion whose fastball was clocked at 102 mph during the second WBC last spring.
I was watching that special they had on Chapman on ESPN.
Dude is gonna get big $$$ once he becomes a FA,
the Yankees havealready said they're willing to shell out the money.
