Dominicans can be hired as free agents in the already famous processes that were carried out before July and now in January.
In the United States they enter through lottery.
But for Cuban baseball players, the only way they can access the big Major League baseball contracts is by defection.
Only some have been able to get them and only a few others have been able to respond to the trust placed by their employers.
In any case, although there are fewer and fewer registered, the ghost of desertion always haunts each Cuban baseball team that goes out to represent that country abroad.
The prohibition of professional sports with the arrival of Fidel Castro to power in 1959 stopped the flow of Cubans abroad, mainly to the large market of the United States.
Currently, some 37 Cuban baseball players who have deserted remain active, out of an estimated 115.
Some are in the Major Leagues, others at the level of other circuits in all parts of the world.
Outfielder Rusney Castillo has the most lucrative contract reached by a Cuban defector to his credit when he signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2014 for seven years and $72.5 million, but failed to establish himself.
One that has shone brightly is first baseman José Dariel Abreu, who signed a $68 million, six-year contract with the Chicago White Sox in 2013. Abreu won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2020.
The mark for a Cuban defector pitcher when contracted is held by starter José Contreras with the 32 million that the New York Yankees gave him in 2002.
Three years later he was in the starting rotation for the White Sox who won the World Series title against the Houston Astros.
The Cincinnati Reds have extended a $30.25 million contract to reliever Aroldis Chapman.
It is estimated that by 2014, approximately 30 Cuban defectors had signed contracts for the Major Leagues for just under half a billion dollars.
Players attempting to play in the Major Leagues frequently choose not to defect to the United States or Canada since establishing residency in those countries would require them to enter the draft.
KNOW MORE
Some of the first
Roger Alvarez.
He made his MLB debut in 1960 and was barred from continuing his career before defecting in 1963 via Mexico.
Barbarian Garbey
He left the island in 1980 as part of the massive emigration from the port of Mariel.
René Arocha.
This pitcher deserted in 1991 and two years later shortstop Rey Ordoñez, who was a Gold Glove, did so.
