In an effort to end the dangerous human trafficking that is often associated with the defection of Cuban ballplayers, MLB and the players union (MLBPA)
have joined to create a new policy. The agreement with the
Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) will essentially create a "posting" system that will allow MLB teams to pay a "release fee" to Cuban ballclubs for the right to negotiate with a player. When a player reports to the USA, it will now be under a
standard work visa—allowing him to travel with his family and to
return to Cuba during the off-season if he so chooses. The FCB is the fourth foreign professional baseball league to make such an agreement with MLB. The others are:
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the
Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and the
Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). This is a far more humane process for the players—but, of course, it also gives aid and comfort to the thug regime in Havana. On balance, though—since it helps baseball
and the Cuban players—it's probably worth it. Two out of three ain't bad.
