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Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos' search for a long-term solution at shortstop may be nearing an end. On Monday, a report indicated that Toronto was nearing a deal worth $10 million to sign Cuban shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria.

Hechavarria, who is considered to be a better offensive prospect than Iglesias, has been described as a 6-foot-1, 170-pound shortstop, resembling a young Alfonso Soriano. The Yankees reportedly believed Hechavarria could have made a switch to second base, but it appears he is intent on trying to reach the Majors as a shortstop.

http://mlbastian.mlblogs.com/

I don't know much about him other than the fact that he plays a premium position and he's only 19. Here's a Cuban Baseball players blog that did a decent scouting report of him with a couple of videos

In my opinion, Adeiny Hechavarria was the best short stop prospect in Cuba before he left. Certainly, I was not alone. Certainly, the Cuban coaches thought along these lines when Adeiny was named the starting shortstop for the Cuban Junior team in 2007 World Junior Championship in Canada. Recent signed shortstop José Iglesias had to play second base for that team.

http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/20 ... -best.html

Epic win. If confirmed. I've reading conflicting reports on his age. I believe he's 21, not 19.

This would be a huge coup. Stealing him away from the Yankees and also getting our SS of the future!

YES! That's awesome. Suck it Yankees.

We know what happened with Chapman when the Jays were allegedly the favorites to sign him, so not really worth getting excited over it until it is official.

Regardless, good to see AA making an attempt at fixing up the putrid farm system he was left with.

Very interesting. Anybody have more information on this guy (stats/scouting reports)? How far is he from the majors?

Avenger wrote:

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos' search for a long-term solution at shortstop may be nearing an end. On Monday, a report indicated that Toronto was nearing a deal worth $10 million to sign Cuban shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria.

Hechavarria, who is considered to be a better offensive prospect than Iglesias, has been described as a 6-foot-1, 170-pound shortstop, resembling a young Alfonso Soriano. The Yankees reportedly believed Hechavarria could have made a switch to second base, but it appears he is intent on trying to reach the Majors as a shortstop.

http://mlbastian.mlblogs.com/

I don't know much about him other than the fact that he plays a premium position and he's only 19. Here's a Cuban Baseball players blog that did a decent scouting report of him with a couple of videos

In my opinion, Adeiny Hechavarria was the best short stop prospect in Cuba before he left. Certainly, I was not alone. Certainly, the Cuban coaches thought along these lines when Adeiny was named the starting shortstop for the Cuban Junior team in 2007 World Junior Championship in Canada. Recent signed shortstop José Iglesias had to play second base for that team.

http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/20 ... -best.html

In the link, it says he's 21. I hope it's not another case like Yi Jianlin where he's really older than a forged birth certificate.

Based on the interest of other teams he seems like a steal for the Jays. Obviously the kid is coming here instead of New York because he think he will get a chance to play for us. He is only 21 so I'm assuming the plan is not to have him play in the Majors this year. We signed Gonzalez in the off-season and have JMac as our back up. I am assuming that AA will give them the spot going into the season with his straight forward approach. This kid definitely fits into the future plans, especially with the kind of money being thrown his way. I can't see him starting the season with the Jays but he isn't going to be far away.

We were never the favourites to sign Chapman.

and I like this move.

zilby wrote:We were never the favourites to sign Chapman.

Right before Chapman signed with the Reds, Ken Rosenthal (among other publications) were mentioning the Jays as the likely destination for Chapman. Rosenthal's exact Twitter message was: "Reds, others on Chapman, but #Jays favorite", and Rosenthal is usually spot on with his sources. Turns out the Reds came on at the last minute (I believe Oakland had a high offer as well).

Hech could eventually sign with the Jays, and I hope he does, but I'm going to wait for the official word. Never know what can happen.

I like any time when Rogers actually spends their money.

looks like its a done deal, will wait for ESPN/Locals to confirm

A source just confirmed El Nuevo Herald that Adeinys Echeverria signed with Toronto for $10 millions and four years.

http://twitter.com/jorgeebro

Nice! Loved what AA has done.

Awesome...I'm guessing that Hechevarria will start in New Hampshire, a level above Pastornicky. ETA is likely late-2011, early 2012, but we have all the time in the world at the moment.

Also, now that we have some depth and quality at SS/C in the organization, AA is free to go strictly BPA.

Schadenfreude wrote:Awesome...I'm guessing that Hechevarria will start in New Hampshire, a level above Pastornicky. ETA is likely late-2011, early 2012, but we have all the time in the world at the moment.

Also, now that we have some depth and quality at SS/C in the organization, AA is free to go strictly BPA.

Hmm, starting at New Hampshire and a 2011 ETA. You know the minor league stuff a lot better than me so I'm pleasantly surprised he's that advanced. Where would you say he ranks among all the minor league SS?

Hoopstarr wrote:
Hmm, starting at New Hampshire and a 2011 ETA. You know the minor league stuff a lot better than me so I'm pleasantly surprised he's that advanced. Where would you say he ranks among all the minor league SS?

Jose Iglesias is what I'm using for a benchmark; he's the same age, and the Red Sox assigned him to Double-A Portland. With Pastronicky having earned a spot in Dunedin (but not really ready for AA, given that he's about 11 years old), and Jackson in the mix somewhere, it makes sense.

Re: 2011, I'm thinking Sept. call-up and possibly a regular in 2012, when Gonzalez becomes a free agent (assuming they pick up the option) if he doesn't turn out to be a complete offensive ****...he doesn't look that advanced with the bat, but he has all-world defensive talent, and at SS that's enough to get him to the bigs in a couple years.


As for his rank, I dunno...all I have on him is 5 minutes of Spanish-language tape that features him all of three times, and some second-hand stuff. I rarely know what talking about, but I suspect that he'd be considered a fringe top-100 prospect league-wide.

YES!!! I've been waiting for this for a few weeks now!

Thank you, AA. You've been a blessing for the Jays' future so far (at least on paper).

Looks like a done deal!

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/ ... XsyqpTpXCL

Somebody breakdown how to say his name properly...

Holmes wrote:Somebody breakdown how to say his name properly...

I'm guessing that it's something like Ah-DEN-knee ETCH-ah-varr-ya, but every news outlet also seems to spell it differently.