Giants are in on Cuban masher Ruiz

Cuban first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz may be close to signing according to a report from Luis E. Rangel of the Miami-based Nuevo Herald.  And, despite the presence of newly-acquired Aubrey Huff, the Giants are high on his list.

“In the coming week he should be signed. Perhaps we’ll be announcing something on Wednesday,” said Ruiz’s agent, Jorge Luis Toca. “Toronto, Texas, Boston, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Colorado are the ones who have shown the most interest. We are also expecting an offer from the Yankees. The idea is to find a team where there is the most opportunity to rise quickly.”

With regards to the last point, Toca noted that the Yankees are the least appealing team because they already have Mark Teixeira. Despite that, Ruiz is currently working out at the Yanks’ complex in the Dominican Republic, and Toca indicated that “millions” of dollars were being discussed with teams, as well as an invitation to Spring Training.

The 25-year-old Ruiz hit .305/.408/.467 over 52 games in the Serie Nacional last season before suddenly defecting to the Dominican. ESPN’s Jorge Arangure noted that he was more than just a masher relegated to first base, offering speed and athleticism.

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