Adalberto Ibarra Finally In Boston

by Ben Buchanan on Jun 28, 2010 9:27 AM EDT in News

Jorge Arangure brings us some good news via Twitter:

Cuban catcher Adalberto Ibarra is in Boston today to take his physical to finalize deal with #redsox

The Red Sox' first big ticket international free agent signing this year, Ibarra has had difficulties making it to Boston due to visa issues. Now that he's in the country, though, he should take a few weeks to get up to speed before being assigned to a minor league team.

Ibarra is an offense-first catcher with a good arm, and could fill that elusive catcher of the future role that has caused so much angst in the Red Sox organization.

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July 2nd is just around the corner!

Excited for that, although I’ve read it could be a slower market than usual to get kids signed due to increased background checks.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Jun 28, 2010 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

Cool

hopefully he can stick and do well. Will be interesting to see where he goes- I feel like there is still so little information about him publicly that I have no idea what level he slots in at.

by wolf9309 on Jun 28, 2010 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

I had heard that Portland was likely but I’m not sure how he fits with Expo being there also. Fellow Cuban Jose could help make him feel more at ease though.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jun 28, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, my thought was that could make the most sense culturally at least

between Iglesias and Expo being there. Him and Expo could split catching and DHing, depending on how quickly they want to develop their catching skills.
Between Expo and Fed, there’s not a whole ton of room above Greenville to slot in a full-time catcher, and no one looks nearly ready to move to AAA unless Ibarra is way more developed than it sounds like. Because of that, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start in the lower levels and have them promote him quickly if he has success.

by wolf9309 on Jun 28, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

FedEx is already splitting time with Lavarnway too.

So it’s likely Portland, or Ryan gets a promotion.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Jun 28, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Somehow I completely forgot about that

don’t know how…

by wolf9309 on Jun 28, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Or a trade

If Tek is going to be our starting catcher for the next couple weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was traded to get us a catcher who can actually hit once in a while when it’s not April anymore and can occasionally throw someone out.

by RSNexile on Jun 28, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

VMart should only miss about 11 games.

I don’t think they’ll make a trade just for a Catcher.

by mmmmm on Jun 29, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting. Does anybody have a scouting report on this guy?

by mmmmm on Jun 28, 2010 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

Very versatile player who should end up with plenty of power and make a good amount of contact.

Not really defensively advanced anywhere, but has the arm to play behind the plate or, possibly, in the outfield (though he did not do so in Cuba). Has a build that should support being a full-time catcher though. Hits to all fields, but can struggle against lefties. Big time gamer who’s going to play hard nine innings a game. Needs work on the finer points of the game behind the plate, but especially in an area like game calling I think he’ll work hard at it and pick it up in time.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Jun 29, 2010 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions