Reds sign Cuban pitcher Raisel Iglesias for 7 years, $30 million

The Cincinnati Reds have signed Cuban defector Raisel Iglesias to a seven-year, $30 million contract, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi. The deal will guarantee the 24-year-old $27 million and will allow him to enter into arbitration when he becomes eligible.

Iglesias is smallish, 5'11" and 165 pounds, and he doesn't boast electrifying velocity, but his advanced repertoire could help him reach the Reds bullpen this summer. He worked in the 88-92 mph range in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but his velocity was between 92-95 mph during the Cuban National team's US tour.

In the past, he has been known as "Raciel" and "Raicel," but ObstructedView.net believes the proper spelling is "Raisel," and since, I personally have no idea, I'm going to defer to the experts.

In his time pitching for Isla de la Juventud, Iglesias has posted a 3.47 ERA since 2011. He appears to have a little trouble with the strike zone (169-115 strikeout to walk ratio).

He will take Roger Bernadina's spot on the Reds 40-man roster.