List of baseball players who defected from Cuba

This is a list of notable Cuban baseball players who have defected since the beginning of Fidel Castro's presidency. Prior 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[1] and forbade Cuban players to play abroad.[2]

Orlando "El Duque" Hernández defected from Cuba in 1997

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, because establishing residency in the United States means they must enter the MLB Draft. If they defect to another nation, they can become free agents, allowing them to choose their offer.[6] The largest contract given to a Cuban defector is outfielder Rusney Castillo's seven-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, signed in 2014, worth $72.5 million.[7] First baseman José Dariel Abreu signed a six-year contract worth $68 million with the Chicago White Sox in 2013.[8] The largest contract given to a pitcher was the $32 million the New York Yankees gave to José Contreras in 2002,[9] while the Cincinnati Reds signed Aroldis Chapman for $30.25 million in 2010.[10]

While some players who defect succeed in obtaining multimillion-dollar contracts to play in MLB, many receive only minor league contracts and do not reach MLB.[2] Players are often separated from their families,[11] as Cuba often denies exit visas to the families of players who defected. This can lead to severed relationships, such as between Jorge Toca and the mother of his son.[5]

List

Key
MLB All-Star
Denotes player who is still active
Defectors
Player Position Year defected MLB debut MLB seasons Ref
José Abreu First baseman2013March 31, 2014 4 [12]
Michel Abreu Outfielder2004[13]
Dariel Álvarez Outfielder2012August 28, 2015 2[14]
Rogelio Álvarez First baseman1963September 18, 19602[3]
Yordan Álvarez Outfielder2016June 9, 2019 1 [15]
Jesús Ametller Second baseman1996[16]
Leslie Anderson Outfielder2010[17]
René Arocha Pitcher1991April 9, 19934[5]
Randy Arozarena Outfielder2015August 14, 2019 2 [18]
Noel Argüelles Pitcher2008[19]
Erisbel Arruebarrena Shortstop2013May 23, 2014 1[20]
Rolando Arrojo Pitcher1996April 1, 19985[4]
Danys Báez Pitcher1999May 13, 200110[21]
Roberto Baldoquin Second baseman2014[22]
Alexei Bell Outfielder2016
Yenier Bello Catcher2013[23]
Yuniesky Betancourt Shortstop2003July 28, 20059[24]
Francisley Bueno Pitcher2004August 13, 20082[2]
Bárbaro Cañizares First baseman2004June 11, 20091[25]
Daniel Carbonell Outfielder2013 [26]
Alberto Castillo Pitcher1993July 8, 20084[27]
Diosdany Castillo Pitcher2014 [28]
Rusney Castillo Outfielder2013September 17, 2014 2[29]
Amaury Cazana Outfielder2005[30]
Yoelkis Céspedes Outfielder2019[31]
Yoenis Céspedes Outfielder2011March 28, 2012 6[32]
Aroldis Chapman Pitcher2009August 31, 2010 8[11]
Roberto Colina First baseman1996[5]
Gerardo Concepción Pitcher2011June 21, 20161[33]
José Contreras Pitcher2002March 31, 2003 11[9]
Jozzen Cuesta First baseman2013[34]
Odrisamer Despaigne Pitcher2013June 23, 2014 2[35]
Aledmys Díaz Shortstop2012April 5, 2016 2[14]
Juan Díaz First baseman1995June 12, 20021[36]
Yandy Díaz Third baseman2013April 3, 20171[37]
Roenis Elías Pitcher2010April 3, 2014 4 [38]
Yunel Escobar Shortstop2004June 2, 2007 11[39]
José Fernández Pitcher2008April 7, 20134[40]
José Miguel Fernández Infielder2015
Osvaldo Fernández Pitcher1995April 5, 19964[41]
Bárbaro Garbey First baseman1980April 3, 19843[1]
Adonis García Outfielder2011May 19, 2015 3[42]
Adolis García Outfielder2016[43]
Onelki García Pitcher2010September 11, 2013 2[44]
Yasser Gómez Outfielder2008[45]
Miguel Alfredo González Pitcher2013September 3, 2014 1 [46]
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Infielder2016April 20, 2018[47]
Yulieski Gurriel Infielder2016August 21, 2016 2 [47]
Alex Guerrero Shortstop2013March 22, 2014 2 [48]
Vladimir Gutiérrez Pitcher2015[49]
Adeiny Hechavarria Shortstop2009August 4, 2012 6[50]
Adrián Hernández Pitcher2000April 21, 20013[51]
Liván Hernández Pitcher1995September 24, 199617[52]
Michel Hernández Catcher1996September 6, 20033[16]
Orlando Hernández Pitcher1997June 3, 19989[53]
Yoslan Herrera Pitcher2005July 12, 2008 2 [54]
Dalier Hinojosa Pitcher2013May 3, 2015 2 [55]
Andy Ibáñez Second baseman2014[56]
José Iglesias Shortstop2008May 8, 2011 7[19]
Raisel Iglesias Pitcher2013April 12, 2015 3 [57]
Hansel Izquierdo Pitcher1994April 21, 20021[58]
Raudel Lazo Pitcher2011September 5, 2015[59]
Yoan López Pitcher2014[60]
Yadel Martí Pitcher2008[45]
Leonys Martín Outfielder2010September 2, 2011 7[61]
Yunesky Maya Pitcher2009September 7, 2010 3[62]
Víctor Víctor Mesa Outfielder2018
Juan Miranda First baseman2005September 18, 20084[63]
Andy Morales Third baseman2000[64]
Kendrys Morales First baseman2004May 23, 2006 10[65]
Adrian Morejón Pitcher2015[66]
Yadil Mujica Shortstop2009[67]
Ronnier Mustelier Outfielder/Third baseman2009[68]
Vladimir Núñez Pitcher1995September 11, 19989[69]
Héctor Olivera Second baseman2014September 1, 2015 1 [70][71]
Jorge Oña Outfielder2015[72]
Rey Ordóñez Shortstop1993April 1, 19969[5]
Eddie Oropesa Pitcher1993April 2, 20014[73]
Bill Ortega Outfielder1996September 7, 20011[16]
Brayan Peña Catcher1999May 23, 2005 13[39]
Hassan Peña Pitcher2005[74]
Orlando Pérez Infielder2013 [26]
Ariel Prieto Pitcher1995July 2, 19957[75]
Yasiel Puig Outfielder2012June 3, 2013 5[76]
Alexei Ramírez Shortstop2007March 31, 2008 8[77]
Roberto Carlos Ramírez Shortstop2011[77]
Victor Rivas First baseman2013[78]
Luis Robert Outfielder2017
Eddy Rodríguez Catcher1993August 2, 2012 1 [79]
Larry Rodríguez Pitcher1995[69]
Omar Luis Rodriguez Pitcher2012[80]
Euclides Rojas Pitcher1994[75]
José Julio Ruiz First baseman2009[81]
Alex Sánchez Outfielder1994June 15, 20017[82]
Amauri Sanit Pitcher2006May 12, 2011 1 [83]
Juan Yasser Serrano Pitcher2009[84]
Misael Siverio Pitcher2013[85]
Alay Soler Pitcher2003May 24, 2006 1 [86]
Jorge Soler Outfielder2011August 27, 2014 4 [87]
Deinis Suárez Pitcher2009[88]
Michael Tejera Pitcher1994September 8, 19995[58]
Jorge Toca First baseman1998September 12, 19993[5][89]
Yasmany Tomás Outfielder2014April 4, 2015 3 [90]
Henry Urrutia Outfielder2011July 20, 2013 2 [91]
Raúl Valdés Pitcher2003April 11, 2010 5[92]
Dayán Viciedo Outfielder2008June 20, 2010 5[93]

See also

References

  1. Weir, Tom (July 6, 2005). "USATODAY.com — Cuban ballplayers remember Garbey". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  2. 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.
  3. "Proquest — Courant.com". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. March 6, 1963. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  4. Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search
  5. 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". Nytimes.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  6. "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.
  7. "Red Sox Agree To Seven-Year Deal With Rusney Castillo". Weei.com. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. "Source: White Sox have deal with Cuban slugger Abreu". MLB.com. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  9. "ESPN.com: MLB — Contreras agrees to $32M deal with Yankees". Static.espn.go.com. July 18, 2003. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  10. Mark Sheldon (January 10, 2010). "Cuban star Chapman joins Reds | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  11. "Life just beginning for Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman — ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. November 1, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  12. Ebro, Jorge (August 12, 2013). "El pelotero cubano José Dariel Abreu abandona la isla — Deportes" (in Spanish). ElNuevoHerald.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  13. Curry, Jack (September 8, 2005). "Cuban Defector Finds Team, Ending an 18-Month Wait". The New York Times. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  14. "Two top Cuban prospects near MLB free agency | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  15. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-yordan-alvarez-dodgers-cuban-signings-mistakes-astros-20190706-story.html
  16. "Defector Declined Help Before — New York Times". Nytimes.com. November 10, 1996. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  17. Jorge Ebro. "El cubano Leslie Anderson ya puede negociar con los equipos de Grandes Ligas — Deportes". ElNuevoHerald.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  18. Nightengale, Bob (October 8, 2020). "After escaping Cuba, overcoming COVID, Randy Arozarena's performance shouldn't shock us". USA Today.
  19. Passan, Jeff (December 5, 2009). "Cuban Arguelles agrees to deal with Royals — MLB — Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  20. "Defensive Wizard Erisbel Arruebarruena Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  21. Mandy Housenick (March 10, 2010). "Making a pitch for freedom — Morning Call". Articles.mcall.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  22. "Angels sign Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin for $8 million — HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  23. "Cuban catcher Bello cleared by MLB". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  24. Bishop, Greg (March 15, 2007). "Mariners' Betancourt can't leave journey from Cuba behind". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  25. 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)
  26. DDC. "Escapan los peloteros Daniel Carbonell (Camagüey) y Orlando Pérez (Industriales)". Diario de Cuba. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  27. Evans, Jeff (August 7, 2008). "'O' what a relief". The Bakersfield Californian. p. D1. Retrieved March 27, 2014.(subscription required)
  28. "Pitcher Diosdany Castillo Flees Cuba, Training in Mexico". Havana Times.org. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  29. "Defection Of Top Cuban Outfielder Rusney Castillo Could Shake Up Free Agent Market". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  30. "NewsBank for PBP | www.palmbeachpost.com". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/yoenis-cespedes-helps-yoelkis-prepare-for-mlb
  32. Passan, Jeff. "Talented Cuban defector Cespedes is an odd sight — MLB — Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  33. "Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion declared a free agent, player agent says". ESPN.com. ESPN. January 18, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  34. "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.
  35. "Odrisamer Despaigne, Cuban pitcher, defects while in Europe, according to report — ESPN". Espn.go.com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  36. Prest, Ashley (August 7, 2009). "And that one is... JUAN GONE!". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  37. 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.
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. 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. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  41. "Charlotte: Search Results". July 31, 1995.
  42. "Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Adonis Garcia Not Eligible To Sign, Onelkis Garcia Still Waiting". Baseball America. September 2, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  43. Badler, Ben (August 30, 2016). "Outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia Leaves Cuba". Baseball America. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  44. http://www.sbsun.com/2012/06/15/dodgers-draft-choice-onelki-garcia-chasing-a-dream/
  45. "Yadel Marti and Yasser Gomez defect from Cuba — ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. December 29, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  46. Hernandez, Dylan (June 6, 2013). "Dodgers eyeing Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  47. Strauss, Ben. "Star Brothers Are Apparently the Latest to Defect From Cuba". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  48. "Dodgers may be favorite for Cuban shortstop Alexander Guerrero | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. July 23, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  49. "Two Cubans playing in Caribbean Series defect". USA Today. February 4, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  50. King, George A. (February 13, 2010). "Yankees target Cuban SS as Jeter's heir". NYPOST.com. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  51. "Baseball News — Adrian Hernandez defected from Cuba — Cuba Culture News". Havana Journal. March 10, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  52. The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search
  53. MURRAY CHASSPublished: December 31, 1997 (December 31, 1997). "BASEBALL; Brother of Hernandez, Hero of Series, Flees Cuba — New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  54. "Herrera's next journey daunting, too — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. January 9, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  55. "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.
  56. "Cuban second baseman Andy Ibanez defects to sign with MLB team — HardballTalk". Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  57. "Righthander Raisel Iglesias Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  58. "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.
  59. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/diamondbacks-take-calculated-risk-with-cuban-right-hander-yoan-lopez/
  60. "Foul Territory: Sources: Rangers attempting to sign Cuban outfielder". Sportsblogs.star-telegram.com. April 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  61. 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.
  62. "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.
  63. The Day - Google News Archive Search
  64. Rojas, Enrique (September 21, 2009). "Hitting on all cylinders, all shores". ESPNDeportes.com. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  65. http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/adrian-morejon-mvp-15u-world-cup-leaves-cuba/
  66. "Yankees sign Yadil Mujica — River Avenue Blues". Riveraveblues.com. February 23, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  67. "Yankees prospect Ronnier Mustelier misses son after defecting from Cuba". Newsday. March 2, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  68. "Miami Herald: Search Results". October 19, 1995.
  69. "Hector Olivera Leaves Cuba". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  70. "Escapa de Cuba el estelar pelotero Héctor Olivera". Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  71. Jorge Ona, No. 6 Cuban Player, Leaves Cuba
  72. "A Winning Team — Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. July 16, 1996. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  73. "When Baseball Hits Home: Hassan Pena fled Cuba five years ago for a better life in the U.S." PennLive.com. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  74. 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.
  75. "Cuban outfielder Puig defects | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  76. Jimenez, Manuel (September 21, 2007). "Top Cuban baseball player defects". Reuters. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  77. Juan Pérez (November 8, 2015). "Homepage of Victor Rivas, Cuban baseball player". Victor Rivas. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  78. 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)
  79. "Yankees sign Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez | HardballTalk". Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  80. "José Julio Ruiz más cerca de las Grandes Ligas | El Duque de Cuba". Elduke.wordpress.com. September 24, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  81. The Argus-Press - Google News Archive Search
  82. "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.
  83. "Cubs reach deal with Cuban prospect | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  84. "Misael Siverio, Cuban pitcher, tells newspaper he is defecting — ESPN". Espn.go.com. July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  85. Ortiz, Jorge L. (May 25, 2006). "USATODAY.com — Cubans off to good starts". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  86. "Chicago Cubs sign Cuban prospect Jorge Soler". Content.usatoday.com. November 28, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  87. Arangure, Jorge. "La Esquina: On the workout of Deinys Suarez and Yuniesky Maya, as well as other news and notes — ESPN". Insider.espn.go.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  88. MIREYA NAVARROPublished: March 22, 1998 (March 22, 1998). "Mystery of Missing Baseball Players From Cuba Is Deepening — New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  89. "Power Hitter Yasmani Tomas Leaves Cuba — Baseball America". www.baseballamerica.com. June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  90. 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.
  91. "New York Mets pitcher Raul Valdes has traveled a difficult path from Cuba to the majors — MLB — ESPN New York". Sports.espn.go.com. April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  92. 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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.