Cuban sensation Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could be pitching in the majors soon, his agent told ESPNDeportes.com.
Jaime Torres thinks his client can help a major league team this year and expects to have the right-hander signed by next week.
"I do not think it will happen this weekend," Torres told ESPNDeportes.com. "But, fortunately, I hope to have an agreement for next week. While the more interested clubs are making their last internal consultations, we are working on the visa process that [Gonzalez] will need to come to the United States."
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins are among the teams interested in the hard-throwing pitcher, a source close to Gonzalez told ESPNDeportes.com.
The source indicated that Minnesota and Miami are not among the favorites to sign Gonzalez, whose anticipated high salary demands have forced other teams to drop out of the bidding.
"[Gonzalez] could help a team this season," Torres told ESPNDeportes.com. "[He'd] only need to go to the minor leagues a couple of weeks and make a few [starts] before debuting in the major leagues. Some of the clubs more interested were evaluating him for a long time, way before he came out of Cuba."
Gonzalez, 26, left Cuba earlier this year and settled in Mexico, where he has worked out for major league teams. More than 60 scouts attended one of the tryouts in Tijuana.
Gonzalez was declared a free agent last month by Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig's office. Cuban players who are at least 23 years old and have played at least three seasons professionally are not subject to MLB's new international signing guidelines, so Gonzalez could end up in the majors this season.
"The parties agree on the importance of completing an agreement soon," Torres told ESPNDeportes.com. "So [Gonzalez] can help them this year, at the end of the season and possibly the playoffs, if the team makes it."