Trump hits Cuban baseball hard

In a move that could reshape the path for Cuban players aiming to join Major League Baseball, Donald Trump is seeking to suspend the agreement between MLB and the Cuban Baseball Federation that had allowed Cuban athletes to sign with U.S. teams without defecting. Originally cancelled in 2018 during Trump’s presidency, the deal was revived under President Joe Biden in 2020, but now faces renewed threats.

New requirements: permanent exile from Cuba

According to Daniel de Malas, press chief of FEPCUBE (Cuban Professional Baseball Federation in Exile), Trump’s team plans to impose new conditions, including a sworn declaration of permanent residency outside of Cuba. Under this rule, Cuban players would have to legally certify they will not return to the island in order to be eligible for MLB contracts.

What is the impact on MLB and Cuban players?

The measure, if implemented, could severely restrict the influx of Cuban talent into MLB. It would also impact Cuba’s participation in events like the World Baseball Classic, where Cuban players often represent their country while playing abroad. Since early 2019, Cuban players have been required to pay a 4% tax to the government on earnings from foreign leagues – a revenue stream that would also disappear if fewer players make it to the big leagues.

Political ramifications for Havana

More than just a blow to Cuban athletes, the move would financially hurt the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel, as it relies on taxes from its most successful baseball exports. The Trump administration’s stance, once again, positions baseball at the center of U.S.-Cuba relations, turning the diamond into a political battleground.

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