05:51 AM
11/21/24
11/21/24
December 19, 2018
MLB and MLBPA announce a deal with the Cuban Baseball Federation that allows Cuban baseball players a safe and legal way to sign with a MLB club.: The objective of the agreement, which is the product of years of negotiations with the FCB, is to end the dangerous trafficking of Cuban players who desire to play professional baseball in the United States, a practice that has been documented in legal proceedings and media reports, and which has caused significant hardship to Cuban players and their families.
posted by Ufez Jones to baseball at 09:13 PM - 2 comments
This is cool. Maybe there's hope yet for an MLB team someday in Havana.
posted by rcade at 10:31 AM on December 21, 2018
This is great. This article, though, does touch upon political issues between the US and Cuba.
Quote from ufi's article:
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu said: "Knowing that the next generation of Cuban baseball players will not endure the unimaginable fate of past Cuban players is the realization of an impossible dream for all of us. Dealing with the exploitation of smugglers and unscrupulous agencies will finally come to an end for the Cuban baseball player.
"To this date, I am still harassed," Abreu added. "The next generation of Cuban baseball players will be able to sign an MLB contract while in Cuba, they will be able to keep their earnings as any other player in the world, they will be able to return to Cuba, they will be able to share with their families, and they will be able to play the sport they love against the best players in the world without fear and trepidation. Great day for Cuban baseball players."