MLB 2015 News, Rumors: Plans to Play Exhibition Games in Cuba
Major League Baseball is getting set to play exhibition games against Cuba and possibly in Cuba in the very near future. New Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed optimism that his league could begin playing games in Cuba as early as 2016.
Both the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles expressed interest in playing games there this spring. There is certainly a hot bed of baseball talent and many fans who will no doubt be overjoyed to see Cuban major leaguers who didn't have to risk their lives to play in the MLB.
"To the extent that we can play a role in helping the United States government effectuate a change in policy, that we're following their lead and we're acting in a way that's consistent with what they want us to do, that's an honor for us," Manfred told The Wall Street Journal.
There is a lot of baseball talent in Cuba and over the past decade or so we have seen some of that talent escape to the U.S. and score massive deals. Of course once relations are normalized more fully between the two countries, the MLB may have have to come up with a system to move Cuban talent from the Cuba leagues into its own. Of course, the players would like to see the current system remain in place, but at some point a draft of some sort for international players could become a necessity.
In the last round of collective bargaining talks, the MLBPA was not ready to accept an international draft. However, MLB teams do have $2.9 million to spend during the July International signing period. Once the Cuban talent market is truly open, that subject could be revisited.
