Cuba’s Latest US Big Leaguer

HAVANA TIMES, Juan Yasser Serrano, a right-handed pitcher who played for Cuba’s Villa Clara team has signed a six-figure contract with the Chicago Cubs, reported ESPN on Wednesday.

Serrano will get a US $250,000 contract; a far cry from the $30 million recently granted Aroldis Chapman by the Cincinnati Reds, but not bad for a pitcher with a 14-16 lifetime record and 4.40 ERA in the Cuban Baseball League.

Serrano’s former Villa Clara teammate, infielder Dayan Viciedo, signed across town with the Chicago White Sox in 2009 for a whopping $11 million and played AA last season.  Serrano is expected to start at the high A or AA level with the Cubs.