Former Mariner and Red Wladimir Balentien has told his usual Venezuelan Winter League team, the Leones de Caracas, that he can't play this winter because he has signed with a team in Japan, reports Cesar Augusto Marquez at Lider en Deportes. Marquez doesn't say which team Balentien has joined.
This report was found on MLBTradeRumors.com
I thought he could of replaced Nix and or Gomes in LF.. Guess not
I was hoping Balentien would get another chance with the Reds. He still has some upside, IMO.
To me its telling that no one really wanted him and he is ending up playing in Japan. Maybe he gets his career together in Japan but I think his MLB playing prospects are very slim.Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine
I bet he's a beast over there, makes jillions of dollars. That's a tough move for any player, but he's got enough talent to succeed there and set himself up for life. It's a good move, especially if you think you have little chance to crack an opening day roster.
Resigning Gomes means just that for him as a Red.
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I think you've hit the nail on the head. Clearly he'll make more money, get good playing time at a level somewhat higher than AAA here, and perhaps show himself ready to finally make the jump to the ML.
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I can see him having a good career over there. Maybe two or 3 years and try his hand one more time at the majors.
Sadly I agree.
Not sure if he's the next Roberto Petagine or the next Jose Guillen, but this certainly puts him more in line to be the former. I always liked his potential.
Plus, now he can be 1/3 Dominican, 1/3 Russian, and 1/3 Japanese.
Go BLUE!!!
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