This is a list of baseball players who defected from Cuba, consisting of Cuban baseball players who have defected since the beginning of Fidel Castro's presidency.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/El_Duque_and_his_cigar%21.jpg/250px-El_Duque_and_his_cigar%21.jpg)
Background
editPrior to the Cuban Revolution, which saw Castro rise to power in 1959, Cuban-born players often played in the American Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball (MLB). Following the revolution, U.S.-Cuba relations became strained, and Castro ended professional baseball in Cuba (the Cuban League)[1] and forbade Cuban players to play abroad.[2]
Some players defected during the Cold War. Rogelio Álvarez, who debuted in MLB in 1960, was barred from continuing his professional career in the United States, and defected from Cuba through Mexico in 1963.[3] Bárbaro Garbey left Cuba in the Mariel boatlift in 1980.[1] After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba's economy struggled badly and faced severe repercussions from the embargo.[2] Baseball players began to seek careers in MLB due to the high salaries. In 1991, René Arocha defected. He was followed by Rey Ordóñez in 1993. Rolando Arrojo defected during the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were held in the United States.[4] The Cuban government treats attempted defectors as disloyal, which led to increased defections. Orlando Hernández was loyal to Cuba, until they banned him from the national team following the defection of his half-brother, Liván.[5]
Players attempting to play in MLB often choose not to defect to the United States or Canada, because establishing residency there subjects them to the Major League Baseball draft. By defecting to another nation, they can be considered international free agents.[6]
In 2008, Joe Kehoskie, a former baseball agent who represented several dozen Cuban players, told author Michael Lewis, "There’s at least half a billion dollars of baseball players in Cuba right now and probably a lot more."[7] By the end of 2014, approximately 30 subsequent Cuban defectors had signed MLB contracts totaling just under $500 million.[8][9][10]
The largest contract given to a Cuban defector was outfielder Rusney Castillo's seven-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, signed in 2014, worth $72.5 million.[11] First baseman José Dariel Abreu signed a six-year contract worth $68 million with the Chicago White Sox in 2013.[12] The largest contract given to a pitcher was the $32 million the New York Yankees gave to José Contreras in 2002,[13] while the Cincinnati Reds signed Aroldis Chapman for $30.25 million in 2010.[14]
While some players who defected have obtained multimillion-dollar contracts to play in MLB, many received only minor-league contracts and did not reach MLB, and many others didn't sign contracts at all.[2][15] Players who defect are often separated from their families,[16] leading to severed relationships, such as between Jorge Toca and the mother of his son.[5]
In late 2018, an agreement was reached between MLB, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), and the Baseball Federation of Cuba. The agreement created a legal path for Cuban baseball players to sign with MLB teams without having to defect.[17] However, the Trump administration declared the agreement illegal and revoked it in April 2019.[18] Since then, players have continued to defect, such as Lázaro Blanco in 2021.[19]
List
edit† | MLB All-Star |
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‡ | Denotes player who is still active |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Weir, Tom (July 6, 2005). "USATODAY.com — Cuban ballplayers remember Garbey". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Talbott, Chris (September 12, 2007). "Defection no guarantee of success for Cuban baseball players in U.S. - USATODAY.com". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ a b "Proquest — Courant.com". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. March 6, 1963. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ a b Reading Eagle – Google News Archive Search
- ^ a b c d e f JAMES C. McKINLEY JrPublished: April 25, 1999 (April 25, 1999). "WHAT PRICE GLORY?: A special report.; Cuban Players Defect, but Often With a Cost — New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "With an array of skills, Cuban defector Leonys Martin nearly ready for Rangers | Dallasnews.com — News for Dallas, Texas — SportsDayDFW". Dallasnews.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (July 2008). "Commie Ball: A Journey to the End of a Revolution". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin; Bennett, Brian (April 26, 2014). "In booming marketplace for Cuban players, Puig's tale far from unique". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
- ^ "Rusney Castillo Agrees To Seven-Year, $72.5 Million Deal With Red Sox". CBS Boston. CBS Boston. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ^ "Diamondbacks land Yasmany Tomas". ESPN.com. November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- ^ "Red Sox Agree To Seven-Year Deal With Rusney Castillo". Weei.com. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ^ "Source: White Sox have deal with Cuban slugger Abreu". MLB.com. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
- ^ a b "ESPN.com: MLB — Contreras agrees to $32M deal with Yankees". ESPN. July 18, 2003. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Mark Sheldon (January 10, 2010). "Cuban star Chapman joins Reds | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
- ^ Eden, Scott (June 20, 2017). "The Lost Prospects of Cuba". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ a b "Life just beginning for Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman — ESPN". ESPN. November 1, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "MLB, MLBPA reach deal with Cuban Federation". MLB.com. December 19, 2018.
- ^ DeYoung, Karen (April 8, 2019). "Trump administration cancels Major League Baseball deal with Cuba". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ Ebro, Jorge (June 4, 2021). "Lázaro Blanco, Caballo de Hierro del pitcheo de Cuba, se queda en Miami". El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ Ebro, Jorge (August 12, 2013). "El pelotero cubano José Dariel Abreu abandona la isla — Deportes" (in Spanish). ElNuevoHerald.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ Curry, Jack (September 8, 2005). "Cuban Defector Finds Team, Ending an 18-Month Wait". The New York Times. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- ^ a b "Two top Cuban prospects near MLB free agency | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "How the Houston Astros nabbed slugger Yordan Alvarez from the Dodgers". Los Angeles Times. July 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Defector Declined Help Before — New York Times". The New York Times. November 10, 1996. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ Jorge Ebro. "El cubano Leslie Anderson ya puede negociar con los equipos de Grandes Ligas — Deportes". ElNuevoHerald.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Nightengale, Bob (October 8, 2020). "After escaping Cuba, overcoming COVID, Randy Arozarena's performance shouldn't shock us". USA Today.
- ^ a b Passan, Jeff (December 5, 2009). "Cuban Arguelles agrees to deal with Royals — MLB — Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ "Defensive Wizard Erisbel Arruebarruena Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ Mandy Housenick (March 10, 2010). "Making a pitch for freedom — Morning Call". Articles.mcall.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Angels sign Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin for $8 million — HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Cuban catcher Bello cleared by MLB". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ Bishop, Greg (March 15, 2007). "Mariners' Betancourt can't leave journey from Cuba behind". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (May 29, 2016). "Outfielder Dairon Blanco Leaves Cuba To Pursue MLB Career". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ "Los peloteros cubanos Lázaro Blanco y Andy Rodríguez tramitan el asilo político en EE UU". 14 y Medio. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin (December 12, 2005). "Defector just looking for a chance: Cuban Bárbaro Cañizares, who is playing in Nicaragua, wants the opportunity to show he can play in the major leagues". Miami Herald. p. 3D. Retrieved April 12, 2013. (subscription required)
- ^ a b DDC. "Escapan los peloteros Daniel Carbonell (Camagüey) y Orlando Pérez (Industriales)". Diario de Cuba. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ^ Evans, Jeff (August 7, 2008). "'O' what a relief". The Bakersfield Californian. p. D1. Retrieved March 27, 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ "Pitcher Diosdany Castillo Flees Cuba, Training in Mexico". Havana Times.org. August 29, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- ^ "Defection Of Top Cuban Outfielder Rusney Castillo Could Shake Up Free Agent Market". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "NewsBank for PBP | www.palmbeachpost.com". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Geisel Cepeda Stats, Fantasy, & News". mlb.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Céspedes brothers reunite, prepare for Majors". MLB.com.
- ^ Passan, Jeff. "Talented Cuban defector Cespedes is an odd sight — MLB — Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ Ebro, Jorge. "Pelotero cubano que se quedó del equipo Sub 23 en México ya tiene vía libre para buscar pacto de Grandes Ligas". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "'Cuban Ohtani' pursuing path to MLB". MLB.com. January 3, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion declared a free agent, player agent says". ESPN.com. ESPN. January 18, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
- ^ "Defected Cuban player might be joining his wife in U.S." princegeorgecitizen.com. August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Odrisamer Despaigne, Cuban pitcher, defects while in Europe, according to report — ESPN". Espn.go.com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ Prest, Ashley (August 7, 2009). "And that one is... JUAN GONE!". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ Hoynes, Paul (March 18, 2017). "Straight out of Cuba: Yandy Diaz, Leandro Linares signed with Cleveland Indians after defecting together". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- ^ Glaser, Kyle (July 17, 2012). "Defecting for a chance: Mavs pitcher Elias left Cuba to chase dream of playing in MLB". vv.dailypress.com. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ a b Melissa Segura (April 28, 2008). "Growing up a street apart in Cuba, best friends Yunel - 04.28.08 - SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Rodriguez, Juan C. (April 2, 2013). "Miami Marlins: Top prospect Jose Fernandez credits personal pitching coach Orlando Chinea for speedy ascent to majors". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ Adams, Steve (December 2, 2015). "Second baseman Jose Miguel Fernandez leaves Cuba, seeks MLB deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
- ^ "Charlotte: Search Results". July 31, 1995.
- ^ "Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Adonis Garcia Not Eligible To Sign, Onelkis Garcia Still Waiting". Baseball America. September 2, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Badler, Ben (August 30, 2016). "Outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia Leaves Cuba". Baseball America. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
- ^ "Dodgers' draft choice Onelki Garcia chasing a dream". June 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Yadel Marti and Yasser Gomez defect from Cuba — ESPN". ESPN. December 29, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Hernandez, Dylan (June 6, 2013). "Dodgers eyeing Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ a b Strauss, Ben (February 8, 2016). "Star Brothers Are Apparently the Latest to Defect From Cuba". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Dodgers may be favorite for Cuban shortstop Alexander Guerrero | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. July 23, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "Two Cubans playing in Caribbean Series defect". USA Today. February 4, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ King, George A. (February 13, 2010). "Yankees target Cuban SS as Jeter's heir". NYPOST.com. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
- ^ "Cuban MLB players who fled the island hope no one else has to. Will Trump and Rubio play ball?".
- ^ "Baseball News — Adrian Hernandez defected from Cuba — Cuba Culture News". Havana Journal. March 10, 2004. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ The Deseret News – Google News Archive Search
- ^ MURRAY CHASSPublished: December 31, 1997 (December 31, 1997). "BASEBALL; Brother of Hernandez, Hero of Series, Flees Cuba — New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Herrera's next journey daunting, too — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. January 9, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ "Right-handed pitcher Dalier Hinojosa of Cuba defects, petitioning MLB to become free agent | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 18, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ "Cuban second baseman Andy Ibanez defects to sign with MLB team — HardballTalk". October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ "Righthander Raisel Iglesias Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ a b "Three's Company / The Miami Herald — Cuba News / Noticias — CubaNet News". Cubanet.org. Archived from the original on May 24, 2005. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ Diaz, Yusseff (May 2, 2020). "Colorado Rockies: Dyan Yamel Jorge, a young Alexei Ramirez". Fansided. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "Cuban defector Raudel Lazo opening eyes at Marlins camp | Fish Tank - Miami Marlins". Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ "Diamondbacks take calculated risk with Cuban right-hander Yoan Lopez".
- ^ "Foul Territory: Sources: Rangers attempting to sign Cuban outfielder". Sportsblogs.star-telegram.com. April 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ^ Adam Wells (March 6, 2018). "Report: Rangers Agree to Contract with Cuban Prospect Julio Pablo Martinez". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ The Miami Herald. "Star pitcher Maya emigrates – illegally | Cuban Colada". Miamiherald.typepad.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Marc Delucchi. "SF Giants sign Cuban pitching prospect Ubert Mejías for $200,000 signing bonus". si.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Jesse Sanchez (May 11, 2018). "Sons of Cuban baseball legend leave island". MLB.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
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{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Power Hitter Yasmani Tomas Leaves Cuba — Baseball America". www.baseballamerica.com. June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
- ^ Dubroff, Rich. "Urrutia set to make impact with Orioles — Carroll County Times: Baltimore Orioles". Carroll County Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ "New York Mets pitcher Raul Valdes has traveled a difficult path from Cuba to the majors — MLB — ESPN New York". ESPN. April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Josh Alper %BloggerTitle% (June 9, 2008). "Dayan Viciedo Defects From Cuba but May Need To Wait a Year to Begin Playing in MLB". Aolnews.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.