Lázaro Blanco signed with the Estrellas Orientales of República Dominicana

July 18, 2021

The prominent Gran pitcher Lázaro Blanco, who broke with the Cuban Baseball Federation after staying in the United States at the end of the pre-Olympic tournament held in Florida, will resume his sports career on the rise by joining the Estrellas de Oriente, a Dominican Republic team.

The 35-year-old right-hander signed a contract with Carlos Pérez, head of the R and I Agency, who explained everything related to the future of the man who had been for several years the leader of the national team's pitching staff.

Pérez, a recognized agent from South Florida, stated that the first thing they have to do is arrange Blanco's legal status within the United States. "His case is different from that of other ballplayers. The best thing for him in terms of time and facilities of all kinds is to request political asylum, and thus before the next winter leagues begin he will be able to leave here and return without any difficulty. This would include a work visa with which he could also have the right to be signed by independent leagues in the United States," said the man who in the past has represented ballplayers such as Adonis García, Onelkis García, Yasiel Balaguer and Yoanis Quiala.

When asked why he decided to represent a man of Blanco's age with no real options to sign in the Major Leagues, he said he was struck by the fact that no one had shown interest in his case and that the Gran native had almost given up continuing to pitch, mainly due to lack of guidance. "When I saw him say that he had stayed to see if something appeared but that if not he would put himself to work in anything even if it had nothing to do with baseball, that's when I decided to approach him, because truthfully I don't usually reach out to Cuban ballplayers when they are still on the Island or just left there. He still has the potential to play in almost any league, including leagues in Asia like Japan and South Korea. He's a strong arm that with proper training can throw up to 93-94 miles per hour, combined with his excellent control and repertoire."

Despite the short time Pérez has had his client, he said he has received several offers from Caribbean teams with a view to the coming winter. "When we were together today, which was when we met in person, he was able to see the amount of people who contacted me interested in having him soon. That encouraged him a lot," said Carlos, who added that he was impressed by the good character of the three-time national champion with the Alazanes.

"Now our objective is to resolve all legal procedures and for that his immigration lawyer is going to do what is necessary. Blanco now has to maintain his athletic fitness with training aimed at beginning in November the competitive phase. If by that time we still don't have the papers, he should continue his preparation for next year, but we have to think positive and take advantage of the time so he doesn't lose his good physical condition."

Carlos Pérez did not completely rule out that some MLB organization could be interested in the tall right-hander even with his age, especially because for the need of someone for a couple of seasons and with the backing of having led the Cuba team's rotation for several years, plus his manifest quality, "it's not totally far-fetched to think about that, although we know there are other places where his participation is more assured. Here it's not just about who gives the most money, but where it's most convenient for him due to different factors. One of them has to do with continuity, because there are many leagues that only contract you for one season and the following year the landscape changes many times, even if you had great performance previously. I'm with Blanco more than for the 5% that corresponds to me as an agent for a human reason so that he can take advantage of what he has left ahead, which could perfectly be 5, 6 or even seven years in professional baseball. With the exception of Japan or South Korea, if he signs in any other league the money I would collect would be something symbolic," expressed the leader of R and I, who also said that he has specialized in ballplayers over 30 years old to whom he has obtained very good offers beyond the organized American system.

He also said that despite the presence of his entire family in Cuba, Blanco feels quite at peace with the hope of being able to count on a good part of them in the not-too-distant future.

Lázaro's last international participation was the least effective of all after leaving in the fourth inning of the first game of the qualifying tournament to Tokyo, although for many his negative result in that challenge against Venezuela was conditioned by the decision he would make days later, when he rejected the contract managed by the Cuban Baseball Federation with the Mexican team Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican Professional League.

Blanco has favorable experience within professional leagues in the Americas in previous years, such as Mexico, Panama and the Can-Am League, an independent circuit of North America in which he pitched with the Cuba team and also individually.