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Report: Rays Sign Cuban First Baseman/Outfielder Leslie Anderson

Per @jorgeebro, the Rays have signed Cuban defector Leslie Anderson to a 4 year, $3.75M deal.  Anderson is a left-hander, age 27/28-years-old, and played on the Cuban national team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.  He hit .381 last season with 13 homeruns, although at the moment I can't find any other description of his statistics.

For some video and a bit of scouting information on Anderson, check out his write-up at Cuban Ball Players.  Here's a blurb:

Leslie Anderson has been the best hitter for Camagüey. The versatile Anderson was used as a center fielder and then was moved to first base once Loidel Chapellí retired. Anderson has played RF for the national team. Anderson has gap power. He is not your typical slugger like Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols. Anderson could hit between 15-20 home runs at the Major League level if given the chance. He is a gold glove type first baseman, but I believe his value is in CF a position that requires less power than first base and in his overall versatility. 

Anderson was part of the Cuban team in both WBC. Any team that is looking for a LF/RF/CF/1B should receive a good value by singing Anderson. Anderson often likes to work the count and takes lots of pitches. Anderson received 417 walks and struck out 376 times in Cuba.    

If this report is true, this would be another nice international signing for the Rays.  Anderson could provide the Rays with depth at first base and after a season of conditioning in the minors, could be a viable replacement for Pena if/when he ends up leaving.

Update: According to TBO_Rays, the Rays have now confirmed that they have reached an agreement in principle with Anderson.