PITTSBURGH – The Cincinnati Reds have already invested heavily in Cuban amateurs in the last year, with both right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez and shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez signing for lucrative bonuses last summer. Under the right circumstances, the Reds could be willing to dip into that pool again.
The Reds have been keeping an eye on 19-year-old Cuban phenom Luis Robert, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder who is considered the top international amateur player on the market. Robert defected from Cuba in November and has established residency in Haiti, a precursor to being declared a free agent under Major League Baseball rules.