Major League Baseball upbeat about flood of Cuban baseball talent

Yasiel Puig, 24, is well known among Korean fans as a teammate to Ryu Hyun-jin of the LA Dodgers. In 2012, he escaped from Cuba on a boat. With the help of an illegal immigration broker, he was able to enter the U.S., passing through Mexico. However, his life was threatened as he could not pay for his escape, and part of his annual salary was deprived. Multiple Cuban athletes who went to the U.S. went through similar experiences.

With U.S. President Barack Obama announcing normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba, however, the situation has turned around. Major League teams, which are anxious to scout superior players, are all cheering.

Cuba, well known for turning out the strongest amateur baseball players, still churns out amazing talent after talent. Jose Abreu, who signed a 68.5 million- dollar, six-year contract with the Chicago White Sox last year, he hit .317 BA, 36 HR, 107 RBI this year. Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Bengals, who pitched the fastest in Major League Baseball, 170 kilometers, is from Cuba as well. They all endured dangerous journeys to reach the U.S. To get Free Agent status, they passed through Mexico or Haiti, instead of directly heading to the U.S. If they become FA without participating in the U.S. draft, they can make more money.

With the normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba, Major League teams can recruit more Cuban players at lower cost. The players likewise do not need to go through danger to escape.

From last year, Cuba allows its players to legally play in Japan and Mexico. Korean baseball teams are also able to pick up Cuban players. Several Korean baseball teams dispatched scouts to Cuba last year, but the deals fell through owing to differences in contact details including salary. Jamie Torres, an agent for Cuban players said that legalization of Cuban baseball players joining Major League Baseball would change the history. Since the U.S. sanctions against Cuba imposed in 1961, a total of 95 Cuban players have left their homeland for Major League Baseball. Doosan Bears pitcher Yunesky Maya, who has been playing for Doosan from mid-season this season, is one of them.