Olympic Rosters: Cuba

Cuba has released its Olympic roster. Cuba obviously has to be considered one of the big 3 contenders, having won Gold in 1992, 1996 and 2004 and Silver in 2000. Since 2004, they have been 1st or 2nd in almost everything - Gold in the 2005 World Cup, Silver in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Gold in the 2007 Pan American Games, Silver in the 2007 World Cup. They are coming off a disappointing Silver in the 2008 Haarlem Baseball Week. They're as good a bet as the USA or Japan, IMO, to win it, but they could be beat by any team in the Games except China. This isn't 1996 anymore - Linares and Kindelan are gone, Japan and the US have pros playing and other countries have made major strides in the past decade.

Catcher: The big shock is the absence of slugger Yosvany Peraza (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yosvany_Peraza). Instead, they're going with 37-year-old Rolando Meriño (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Rolando_Meri%C3%B1o), Eriel Sanchez and Ariel Pestano (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ariel_Pestano). Pestano has been hit-or-miss in international events - he was great in the 2004 Olympics but is mostly a defensive presence. Sanchez and Meriño are better hitters.

1B: Since Kendry Morales defected, this has been a revolving door. Alexander Mayeta (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Alexander_Mayeta) has been the starter the last couple years but I can't say his numbers impress me much, either in Cuba or international competition.

2B: Héctor Olivera Jr. (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/H%C3%A9ctor_Olivera_Jr.) is an amazing all-around player without a real weakness in his game. He's young and keeps improving. Even had Alexei Ramirez not left Cuba, Olivera would likely be the starter.

SS: Eduardo Paret (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Eduardo_Paret) is an old-timer who hopefully can still cover enough ground. He still can hit but his speed isn't what it was. He starred in the Olympics 12 years ago as a newcomer. Luis Miguel Navas is a backup IF.

3B: Yuliesky Gourriel (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yuliesky_Gourriel) is one of the most famous Cubans (at least in the USA) and has good power. Michel Enríquez (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Michel_Enr%C3%ADquez) is back with the team after his umpire assault and suspension (just like Taiwan's Chih-Sheng Lin) - he's a superb OBP machine who also has good pop. He will presumably be the DH.

OF: Alexei Bell (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Alexei_Bell) was MVP of the Cuban Serie Nacional last year. He is a great combination of speed and power but is relatively new to the international stage. Frederich Cepeda (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Frederich_Cepeda) is one of Cuba's top players at reaching base but is not a great defensive left fielder. Giorvis Duvergel (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Giorvis_Duvergel) has been very good in some international events and is a reliable center fielder. Yoandry Urgelles (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yoandry_Urgell%C3%A9s) is another well-rounded threat. Alfredo Despaigne (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Alfredo_Despaigne) is a good extra-base power hitter. Five good players. The big surprise is that long-time national team member Osmani Urrutia (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Osmani_Urrutia) is gone. He's getting old and was a one-dimensional threat for the most part so Cuba's not just leaving guys around for the sake of seniority when younger players emerge, a good sign.

P: Pedro Luis Lazo (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pedro_Luis_Lazo) joins the Netherlands' Rob Cordemans as a 4-time Olympian. He is Cuba's all-time win leader and hasn't shown any sign of fading with age. Jonder Martinez (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jonder_Mart%C3%ADnez) led the Serie Nacional in ERA but has struggled in some international competitions (2006 WBC, 2004 Olympics). Yulieski González (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yulieski_Gonz%C3%A1lez) was Cuba's strikeout leader last season and was great in the 2005 World Cup. Vicyohandri Odelín has been effective in several international events and in Cuban league play. Norge Luis Vera (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Norge_Luis_Vera) is close to Orlando Hernandez (El Duque) in career winning percentage in Cuba and has been Cuba's ace in several Gold Medal games, including the 2007 Pan Ams. Adiel Palma (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Adiel_Palma) is coming off a 3-8 season but he still had a good ERA and he was a star in the Athens Olympics. Yuniesky Maya (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Yuniesky_Maya) is a top Cuban relief pitcher. I am less familiar with Yadier Pedroso, Norberto González and Luis Miguel Rodríguez.