Bienvenidos a Miami, Mesa brothers
By Yusseff Díaz
Today the Miami Marlins officially announced the signing of two of the most highly sought after international free agents on the market this winter, the Mesa brothers.
Victor Victor and Victor, Jr. were considered among the top international prospects available. The Cuban brothers bring with them a level of excitement not seen since Derek Jeter became the franchise’s CEO.
In signing the 22-year-old Victor Victor and 17-year-old Victor Jr., Miami hopes this off-season action translates to a renewed hope among Miami fans.
Who are the Mesas?
Victor Mesa is a legend of Cuban baseball, considered by many to be the best center fielder to every lace up a pair of cleats in Cuba. He is the father of the two brothers from Matanzas, Cuba, who recently held a showcase in Miami for a collection of major league scouts.
Baseball America rated Victor Victor as the top player in international free agency, going as far as comparing him to Nationals’ top prospect Victor Robles. The older Mesa brother had hit at every level in Cuba, though injuries hindered him in the Cuban big leagues recently.
The younger of the Mesa siblings was the batting champion in the Sub 15 World Championship in Thunder Bay last year when he hit .320. A switch-hitting plus-hitter, he also won the batting title in the last Cuban juvenile tournament.
Starting Over in Miami
This is the first high profile signing of a Cuban free agent by the Marlins, and gives Cubans and Cuban-Americans the sense that the Marlins are truly reaching out to their community.
Previous regimes in South Florida failed to sign Cuban free agents such as Yoenis Céspedes, Aroldis Chapman, and José Abreu, giving this move additionally significant meaning.
The Marlins quietly made two trades during the postseason to acquire additional spending flexibility in the international market this winter, helping their bid to win the services of the prized Mesa brothers.
Longtime observers see the Mesa brothers’ signing not just as an indication that Jeter is trying to reach out to the Cuban community in Miami but that that there is a plan in place for the team to acquire more top international free agents.
Looking back on the affection of many in Little Havana for José Fernández and it’s easy to see why there’s an emotional resonance here.
Calling Miami Home
For Cuban baseball, this is another setback for the island’s baseball program. The defection of children of Cuban baseball royalty such as the Gurriels, the Vargas family and, now, the Mesas shows how much easier it has become for Major League Baseball teams to access and recruit the elite players on the island.
But for South Florida’s Cuban community, it is a welcome signing, bringing two of Cuba’s most talented sons to the adopted home of their father, one of the island’s most storied players.
Featured Image: Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport