by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

TEMPE–There is no doubt, for the past few years Cuban players have been the hottest commodity.There has been so much talk about the Cuban players and Cuba, that the Asian invasion of a few years ago has been all but forgotten. Remember when Japanese players were coming into the majors, and big press conferences were put together to announce the most recent import to the game? That has subsided, but at the same time the Cuban market has gone crazy.

The Oakland Athletics have shown interested, along with the Giants, Padres and Dodgers(among others)in 29-year old Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, who many scouts believe could be a middle of the order hitter in the Athletics lineup, and in a totally different infield this season for the A’s. He could be a good deal for the bargain-hunting Oakland A’s if they can land the free-agent -the A’s would not have to pay a luxury tax.

Not long ago(last eight years or so) you could count with the fingers on one hand the Cuban players in the major leagues. In 2014, between 25 to 30 Cubans players were in the majors, and there will be more playing in 2015. Red Sox speedster-outfielder Rusney Castillo, could make a big difference on top of the Boston Red Sox lineup, a Boston team that could go from last to first in their division this year. Yoenis Céspedes is now on his third team since he first played with the A’s. He has played in Boston and this season will be playing for the Detroit Tigers, and is poised to have his best season at Comerica Park, a great place for a right handed power hitter.

Meanwhile in Chicago, the Rookie of The Year, first baseman José Abreu will be on his second season with the Chicago White Sox, one of the most improved teams in baseball this winter. Yasiel Puig who is the poster child for the crop of talented Cuban players of recent memory, now feels more comfortable with the Dodgers, as he plays with the enthusiasm and the talent that puts him in a class by himself, an MVP waiting to happen, but like a precious stone that needs to be polished,he will bet better, he is one of those special players that people pay just to see.

So are Cuban players overrated? I do not think so. These Cuban players arriving today, are ready to play,at least at the Triple A, level, but most are major league caliber. After defecting from Cuba, these players usually make it to the Big Show in an average of two years. That’s very good, they know that the contract is awaiting, that teams are sending scouts all over the world to give them a look. The Cuban players, know that they are a very hot commodity in today’s very wealthy Major League Baseball. It is good to see that the pioneer Latin country when it came to players in the major leagues is coming back. Recently the Cuban team won their first Caribbean Baseball Series as the beat México 3-2 in the final game. It was the first win for Cuba in the tournament that they used to dominate since 1960.(First Caribbean Series was in La Habana, Cuba in 1949)

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum at the Athletics Fanfest.

Oakland Athletics Cuban-born right hander reliever Dan Otero, sat with yours truly at The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame table, during the Oakland A’S 2015 Fanfest. Around 15,000 A’S fans showed up, during a stormy day to see their heroes. Otero signed for approximately 30 minutes at our table and he seemed to really enjoy it as he signed autographs and have his picture taken with fans of all ages. He told me “estoy listo para el entrenamiento” trans: “I am ready for Spring Training”.

President’s Day and Baseball:

America’s affinity baseball made its way to the White House during the Taft administration. President William Howard Taft was the first American president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in 1910. It was opening day for the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. Since Taft, every U.S. President has thrown out at least one first pitch inaugurating a season. Richard Nixon was probably the most savvy of US Presidents, when it came to baseball. The great New York baseball writer Dick Young once wrote about President Nixon: “Richard Nixon would have to top the list of presidential baseball fans. “This isn’t a guy that shows up at season openers to take bows and get his picture in the paper and has to have his secretary of state tell him where first base is. This man knows baseball.”

Have a happy and safe President’s Day weekend.

Amaury Pi-González is on his 38th season as major league broadcaster, Spanish Voice for the Oakland A’S radio network, and also play by play for the LA Angels on Anaheim on the Fox Sports West/Español in southern California. Amaury also does News and Commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com