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.
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 U.S.[4] The Cuban government treats attempted defectors as disloyal, which led to increased defections. Orlando Hernández was loyal to Cuba, until he was banned 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 U.S. 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 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 |
---|---|
‡ | Denotes player who is still active |
Player | Position | Year defected | MLB debut | MLB seasons | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
José Abreu† | First baseman | 2013 | March 31, 2014 | 8‡ | [20] | |
Michel Abreu | Outfielder | 2004 | — | — | [21] | |
Dariel Álvarez | Outfielder | 2012 | August 28, 2015 | 2‡ | [22] | |
Rogelio Álvarez | First baseman | 1963 | September 18, 1960 | 2 | [3] | |
Yordan Alvarez† | Outfielder | 2016 | June 9, 2019 | 3‡ | [23] | |
Jesús Ametller | Second baseman | 1996 | — | — | [24] | |
Leslie Anderson | Outfielder | 2010 | — | — | [25] | |
René Arocha | Pitcher | 1991 | April 9, 1993 | 4 | [5] | |
Randy Arozarena† | Outfielder | 2015 | August 14, 2019 | 3‡ | [26] | |
Noel Argüelles | Pitcher | 2008 | — | — | [27] | |
Erisbel Arruebarrena | Shortstop | 2013 | May 23, 2014 | 1‡ | [28] | |
Rolando Arrojo† | Pitcher | 1996 | April 1, 1998 | 5 | [4] | |
Danys Báez† | Pitcher | 1999 | May 13, 2001 | 10 | [29] | |
Roberto Baldoquin | Second baseman | 2014 | — | — | [30] | |
Alexei Bell | Outfielder | 2016 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Yenier Bello | Catcher | 2013 | — | — | [31] | |
Yuniesky Betancourt | Shortstop | 2003 | July 28, 2005 | 9 | [32] | |
Dairon Blanco | Outfielder | 2016 | May 20, 2022 | 1‡ | [33] | |
Lázaro Blanco | Pitcher | 2021 | — | — | [34] | |
Francisley Bueno | Pitcher | 2004 | August 13, 2008 | 2 | [2] | |
Bárbaro Cañizares | First baseman | 2004 | June 11, 2009 | 1 | [35] | |
Daniel Carbonell | Outfielder | 2013 | — | — | [36] | |
Alberto Castillo | Pitcher | 1993 | July 8, 2008 | 4 | [37] | |
Diosdany Castillo | Pitcher | 2014 | — | — | [38] | |
Rusney Castillo | Outfielder | 2013 | September 17, 2014 | 3‡ | [39] | |
Amaury Cazana | Outfielder | 2005 | — | — | [40] | |
Geisel Cepeda | Outfielder | 2021 | — | — | [41] | |
Yoelkis Céspedes | Outfielder | 2019 | — | — | [42] | |
Yoenis Céspedes† | Outfielder | 2011 | March 28, 2012 | 8‡ | [43] | |
Loidel Chapelli Jr. | Outfielder | 2021 | — | — | [44] | |
Aroldis Chapman† | Pitcher | 2009 | August 31, 2010 | 12‡ | [16] | |
Oscar Colas | Outfielder | 2020 | March 30, 2023 | 1‡ | [45] | |
Roberto Colina | First baseman | 1996 | — | — | [5] | |
Gerardo Concepción | Pitcher | 2011 | June 21, 2016 | 1 | [46] | |
José Contreras† | Pitcher | 2002 | March 31, 2003 | 11 | [13] | |
Josimar Cousín | Pitcher | 2022 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Jozzen Cuesta | First baseman | 2013 | — | — | [47] | |
Odrisamer Despaigne | Pitcher | 2013 | June 23, 2014 | 6‡ | [48] | |
Aledmys Díaz | Shortstop | 2012 | April 5, 2016 | 6‡ | [22] | |
Juan Díaz | First baseman | 1995 | June 12, 2002 | 1 | [49] | |
Yandy Díaz | Third baseman | 2013 | April 3, 2017 | 5‡ | [50] | |
Roenis Elías | Pitcher | 2010 | April 3, 2014 | 6‡ | [51] | |
Yunel Escobar | Shortstop | 2004 | June 2, 2007 | 11 | [52] | |
José Fernández† | Pitcher | 2008 | April 7, 2013 | 4 | [53] | |
José Miguel Fernández | Infielder | 2015 | June 8, 2018 | 1‡ | [54] | |
Osvaldo Fernández | Pitcher | 1995 | April 5, 1996 | 4 | [55] | |
Bárbaro Garbey | First baseman | 1980 | April 3, 1984 | 3 | [1] | |
Adonis García | Outfielder | 2011 | May 19, 2015 | 3‡ | [56] | |
Adolis García† | Outfielder | 2016 | August 8, 2018 | 3‡ | [57] | |
Onelki García | Pitcher | 2010 | September 11, 2013 | 2‡ | [58] | |
Yasser Gómez | Outfielder | 2008 | — | — | [59] | |
Miguel Alfredo González | Pitcher | 2013 | September 3, 2014 | 1 | [60] | |
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.† | Infielder | 2016 | April 20, 2018 | 4‡ | [61] | |
Luis Enrique Gurriel Jr. | Outfielder | 2024 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Yulieski Gurriel | Infielder | 2016 | August 21, 2016 | 6‡ | [61] | |
Alex Guerrero | Shortstop | 2013 | March 22, 2014 | 2 | [62] | |
Vladimir Gutiérrez | Pitcher | 2015 | May 28, 2021 | 1‡ | [63] | |
Adeiny Hechavarria | Shortstop | 2009 | August 4, 2012 | 9‡ | [64] | |
Guillermo Heredia | Outfielder | 2015 | July 29, 2016 | 5‡ | [65] | |
Adrián Hernández | Pitcher | 2000 | April 21, 2001 | 3 | [66] | |
Liván Hernández† | Pitcher | 1995 | September 24, 1996 | 17 | [67] | |
Michel Hernández | Catcher | 1996 | September 6, 2003 | 3 | [24] | |
Orlando Hernández | Pitcher | 1997 | June 3, 1998 | 9 | [68] | |
Yoslan Herrera | Pitcher | 2005 | July 12, 2008 | 2 | [69] | |
Dalier Hinojosa | Pitcher | 2013 | May 3, 2015 | 2 | [70] | |
Andy Ibáñez | Second baseman | 2014 | May 4, 2021 | 1‡ | [71] | |
Yunior Ibarra | Catcher | 2023 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
José Iglesias † | Shortstop | 2008 | May 8, 2011 | 10‡ | [27] | |
Raisel Iglesias | Pitcher | 2013 | April 12, 2015 | 7‡ | [72] | |
Hansel Izquierdo | Pitcher | 1994 | April 21, 2002 | 1 | [73] | |
Dyan Yamel Jorge | Shortstop | 2020 | — | — | [74] | |
Raudel Lazo | Pitcher | 2011 | September 5, 2015 | 1 | [75] | |
J.C. Linares | Outfielder | 2009 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Yoan López | Pitcher | 2014 | September 9, 2018 | 4‡ | [76] | |
Yadel Martí | Pitcher | 2008 | — | — | [59] | |
Leonys Martín | Outfielder | 2010 | September 2, 2011 | 9‡ | [77] | |
J. P. Martínez | Outfielder | 2017 | August 11, 2023 | 1‡ | [78] | |
Yunesky Maya | Pitcher | 2009 | September 7, 2010 | 3‡ | [79] | |
Ubert Mejías | Pitcher | 2021 | — | — | [80] | |
Víctor Víctor Mesa | Outfielder | 2018 | — | — | [81] | |
Juan Miranda | First baseman | 2005 | September 18, 2008 | 4 | [82] | |
Andy Morales | Third baseman | 2000 | — | — | [83] | |
Luis Danys Morales | Pitcher | 2021 | — | — | [84] | |
Kendrys Morales | First baseman | 2004 | May 23, 2006 | 13 | [85] | |
Adrian Morejón | Pitcher | 2015 | July 21, 2019 | 3‡ | [86] | |
Yadil Mujica | Shortstop | 2009 | — | — | [87] | |
Gabriel Eduardo Mustelier | Infielder | 2023 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Ronnier Mustelier | Outfielder/Third baseman | 2009 | — | — | [88] | |
Vladimir Núñez | Pitcher | 1995 | September 11, 1998 | 9 | [89] | |
Héctor Olivera | Second baseman | 2014 | September 1, 2015 | 2 | [90][91] | |
Jorge Oña | Outfielder | 2015 | September 7, 2020 | 2‡ | [92] | |
Rey Ordóñez | Shortstop | 1993 | April 1, 1996 | 9 | [5] | |
Eddie Oropesa | Pitcher | 1993 | April 2, 2001 | 4 | [93] | |
Bill Ortega | Outfielder | 1996 | September 7, 2001 | 1 | [24] | |
Andy Pages | Outfielder | 2017 | April 16, 2024 | 1‡ | [94] | |
Brayan Peña | Catcher | 1999 | May 23, 2005 | 13 | [52] | |
Hassan Peña | Pitcher | 2005 | — | — | [95] | |
Orlando Pérez | Infielder | 2013 | — | — | [36] | |
Ariel Prieto | Pitcher | 1995 | July 2, 1995 | 7 | [96] | |
Iván Prieto | Catcher | 2023 | — | — | [97] | |
Yasiel Puig† | Outfielder | 2012 | June 3, 2013 | 7‡ | [98] | |
Alexei Ramírez† | Shortstop | 2007 | March 31, 2008 | 9‡ | [99] | |
Roberto Carlos Ramírez | Shortstop | 2011 | — | — | [99] | |
Alejandro Regueira | Catcher | 2021 | — | — | [100] | |
Victor Rivas | First baseman | 2013 | — | — | [101] | |
Luis Robert | Outfielder | 2017 | July 24, 2020 | 2‡ | [102] | |
Eddy Rodríguez | Catcher | 1993 | August 2, 2012 | 1 | [103] | |
Larry Rodríguez | Pitcher | 1995 | — | — | [89] | |
Omar Luis Rodriguez | Pitcher | 2012 | — | — | [104] | |
Yariel Rodríguez | Pitcher | 2023 | April 13, 2024 | — | — | [105] |
Euclides Rojas | Pitcher | 1994 | — | — | [96] | |
José Julio Ruiz | First baseman | 2009 | — | — | [106] | |
Alex Sánchez | Outfielder | 1994 | June 15, 2001 | 7 | [107] | |
Amauri Sanit | Pitcher | 2006 | May 12, 2011 | 1 | [108] | |
Juan Yasser Serrano | Pitcher | 2009 | — | — | [109] | |
Misael Siverio | Pitcher | 2013 | — | — | [110] | |
Alay Soler | Pitcher | 2003 | May 24, 2006 | 1 | [111] | |
Jorge Soler | Outfielder | 2011 | August 27, 2014 | 8‡ | [112] | |
Deinis Suárez | Pitcher | 2009 | — | — | [113] | |
Michael Tejera | Pitcher | 1994 | September 8, 1999 | 5 | [73] | |
Jorge Toca | First baseman | 1998 | September 12, 1999 | 3 | [5][114] | |
Yasmany Tomás | Outfielder | 2014 | April 4, 2015 | 4‡ | [115] | |
Henry Urrutia | Outfielder | 2011 | July 20, 2013 | 2‡ | [116] | |
Raúl Valdés | Pitcher | 2003 | April 11, 2010 | 5 | [117] | |
John Valle | Pitcher | 2021 | — | — | [citation needed] | |
Dayán Viciedo | Outfielder | 2008 | June 20, 2010 | 5‡ | [118] |
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. Archived from the original on October 20, 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. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. 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.
- ^ "Cuba News / The Miami Herald — CubaNet News — Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News". Cubanet.org. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ The Day – Google News Archive Search
- ^ "Prospecto de beisbol cubano desertó en México". Excelsior. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ Rojas, Enrique (September 21, 2009). "Hitting on all cylinders, all shores". ESPNDeportes.com. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
- ^ "Top MLB International Prospects 2018".
- ^ "Yankees sign Yadil Mujica — River Avenue Blues". Riveraveblues.com. February 23, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ "Yankees prospect Ronnier Mustelier misses son after defecting from Cuba". Newsday. March 2, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Miami Herald: Search Results". October 19, 1995.
- ^ "Hector Olivera Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ "Escapa de Cuba el estelar pelotero Héctor Olivera". Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ Jorge Ona, No. 6 Cuban Player, Leaves Cuba
- ^ "A Winning Team — Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. July 16, 1996. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ Juan Toribio (August 16, 2024). "Pages' Cuban roots are ingrained in his bat". mlb.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "When Baseball Hits Home: Hassan Pena fled Cuba five years ago for a better life in the U.S." PennLive.com. July 26, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ a b JENNIFER FREY (October 27, 2007). "Deceptive Practices : Prieto Played His Way Out of Cuba and Into the Major Leagues". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Alyssa Varas-Martinez (March 20, 2023). "Cuba Lost the World Baseball Classic Semifinals—and a Player—to the U.S." Reason. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Cuban outfielder Puig defects | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ^ a b Jimenez, Manuel (September 21, 2007). "Top Cuban baseball player defects". Reuters. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Llegó A Miami tras cruzar la frontera popular pelotero de Industriales". Swing Completo. September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ Juan Pérez (November 8, 2015). "Homepage of Victor Rivas, Cuban baseball player". Victor Rivas. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ James Wagner (March 9, 2023). "Cuba's W.B.C. Team Is Notable for Who Is There, and Who Isn't". The New York Times. The New York Times.
- ^ Katz, Marc (June 5, 2007). "Daring escape brought Dragons catcher to America Cuban-born Eddy Rodriguez and his family crossed stormy seas on a small fishing boat in 1993". Dayton Daily News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ "Yankees sign Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez | HardballTalk". Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Somers, Aaron (March 28, 2023). "Report: Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez defects with hope of MLB deal". Yardbarker. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "José Julio Ruiz más cerca de las Grandes Ligas | El Duque de Cuba". Elduke.wordpress.com. September 24, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ The Argus-Press - Google News Archive Search
- ^ "Texas Rangers to take swings at Cuban defector | Dallas Morning News". Rangersblog.dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ "Cubs reach deal with Cuban prospect | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Misael Siverio, Cuban pitcher, tells newspaper he is defecting — ESPN". Espn.go.com. July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ Ortiz, Jorge L. (May 25, 2006). "USATODAY.com — Cubans off to good starts". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs sign Cuban prospect Jorge Soler". Content.usatoday.com. November 28, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Arangure, Jorge. "La Esquina: On the workout of Deinys Suarez and Yuniesky Maya, as well as other news and notes — ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ MIREYA NAVARROPublished: March 22, 1998 (March 22, 1998). "Mystery of Missing Baseball Players From Cuba Is Deepening — New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
{{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.