The Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to have found a diamond in the rough with Yaisel Sierra. Although he was inconsistent during his time playing in Cuba, the Dodgers thought that they had found a late inning weapon, someone who, with proper coaching, could develop into a key piece of the future.
However, that never happened. After injuries and his own struggles held him back, the Dodgers decided to walk away, releasing him on Thursday.
The Dodgers released Yaisel Sierra, as @francysromero10 reported. Sierra, 30, signed a six-year, $30 million contract in 2016 after defecting from Cuba. He had a 13.78 ERA in 23 games with triple-A Oklahoma City this season.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 3, 2021
Yaisel Sierra never became what Los Angeles Dodgers hoped for
It was easy to see why the Dodgers made such a large investment in his services. He had impressed in his tryout after defecting from Cuba, throwing a mid 90s fastball and excellent slider. His delivery looked polished and repeatable, and he displayed solid command of his arsenal.
Although he impressed in his tryouts, he was unable to translate his raw stuff to success on the diamond. He posted a 5.43 ERA and a 1.587 WHiP in his 179 innings in the Dodgers’ organization, striking out 194 batters with 73 walks. He just could not take his talent and find success.
Injuries may have been a part of the issue. He was sidelined for almost three full seasons between 2018 and 2020, making just three appearances in Rookie Ball in 2019. Between his shoulder woes and the pandemic, Sierra was unable to get that valuable time he needed on the mound. It is not surprising that he struggled this season.
Now, in the final year of his contract, the Dodgers had enough. He was not going to progress enough to warrant a spot on the 40 man roster or join the major league team. He can now get a head start in free agency to see if there is a team out there willing to give him a chance. However, it is far more likely that he will end up overseas, trying to resurrect his career in Japan or Korea.
Yaisel Sierra never panned out as the Los Angeles Dodgers had hoped. They have decided to cut their losses, releasing him a month before his contract expired.