MLB: Cuba leaning toward unified team for international competitions
By Yusseff Diaz
Future national team’s out of Cuba could incorporate MLB players, according to Higinio Velez of the Cuban Federation.
Yesterday on Cuban state TV’s ” Jugada Perfecta” the head of the Cuban Federation Higinio Vélez hinted that Cuba is leaning towards allowing all Cubans players — even in the MLB — worldwide to be part of any delegation for any international baseball competition.
Mr. Vélez said, “We are studying how to incorporate all of our baseball players to our national team around the world no matter where they play because at the end of the day they are Cuban.”
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If true, this is a drastic reversal from the old rhetoric of the Cuban Federation that called any player who decided to jump ship and head stateside are traders or deserters.
Rumors had been circulating out of Havana for months now about Cuba opening their national team to non-MLB affiliated players such as those who compete in the Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean and Mexican circuits.
A unified version of the Cuban team would be a powerhouse for the next World Baseball Classic, can you imagine a lineup that would include stalwarts such as José Abreu, Jorge Soler, Yordan Álvarez and Yuli Gurriel?
The team’s weaknesses would be starting pitching due to the fact it would have a lot of young but talented prospects, but the insertion of savvy veterans like ex-big leaguers Odrisamer Despaigne and Ariel Miranda might offset that and stabilize that unit with their savvy and wisdom.
Now having potent bats like those of Alfredo Despaigne, Dayán Viciedo and Yoenis Céspedes would be a luxury for any squad, imagine that being your bench?
The bullpen would the strength of this team and would rival the Dominican Republic’s 2013 bullpen in the tournament. Set up and closing combinations of lefthanders Liván Moinelo-Aroldis Chapman and right-handers Raidel Martínez-Raisel Iglesias would be lights out from either side.
Having Cionel Pérez, Lázaro Blanco, Onelki García and Néstor Cortés Jr in long relief is something that many teams in the tournament would desire.
Although it’s a pipe dream right now this is what a Cuba’s unified Team could look like in the next edition of the WBC.
dark. Next. Tyler White reportedly on cusp of heading to KBO
Lineup:
- Luis Robert CF Chicago Whitesox
- Yuli Gurriel 2B Houston Astros
- Yordan Álvarez DH Houston Astros
- José Abreu 1B Chicago Whitesox
- Jorge Soler RF KC Royals
- Yoan Moncada 3B Chicago Whitesox
- Yasiel Puig LF Atlanta Braves
- Yasmani Grandal C Chicago Whitesox
- José Iglesias SS Baltimore Orioles
Rotation:
- Michel Baez RHP San Diego Padres
- Odrisamer Despaigne RHP KT Wiz
- Ariel Miranda LHP CITIC Brothers
- Adrián Morejón LHP San Diego Padres
- Rogelio Armenteros RHP Houston Astros
Bench:
- Dayán Viciedo 1B Chunichi Dragons
- Guillermo Heredia OF Pittsburgh Pirates
- Aledmys Díaz Util Houston Astros
- Yoenis Céspedes OF New York Mets
- Adeiny Hechavarria SS Atlanta Braves
- Alfredo Despaigne DH SoftBank Hawks
Bullpen:
- Raidel Martínez RHP Chunichi Dragons
- Cionel Pérez LHP Houston Astros
- Lázaro Blanco RHP Saltillo Saraperos
- Liván Moinelo LHP SoftBank Hawks
- Raisel Iglesias RHP Cincinnati Reds
- Onelki Garcia LHP Hashin Tigers
- Néstor Cortés LHP Seattle Mariners
- Aroldis Chapman LHP New York Yankees