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Cuba deal sparks hope, caution

 
Published Dec. 18, 2014

NEW YORK — Fred Claire can see the day when major-league teams open academies for prospects in Cuba.

"It's absolutely a natural, just as the Dominican was and Venezuela. You go to where the talent is," the former Dodgers general manager said Wednesday. "The high talent level for Cuban players is still there."

That talent has faced obstacles getting to the U.S. since 1961, when the United States terminated diplomatic relations with Cuba. President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the nations were re-establishing relations.

Within baseball circles, the consensus was that the decision can only be a good thing.

"We'll want to see what happens and how we can handle it the best way, but I'm very much excited, yes," said Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting. "It's something that has been rumored and rumored and rumored for years, but nothing ever materialized. And now it is very possible."

The path to the majors for Cubans has often involved smugglers who charge a hefty price. It's hard to know exactly how that will change in the short term, or whether MLB teams will be allowed to invest resources in the communist country.

"While there are not sufficient details to make a realistic evaluation, we will continue to track this significant issue, and we will keep our clubs informed if this different direction may impact the manner in which they conduct business on issues related to Cuba," MLB said in a statement.

MARINERS GET EX-RAY: Seattle acquired former Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Cubs for minor-league right-hander Matt Brazis.

BRAVES: New outfielder Nick Markakis had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck.

GIANTS: Free agent reliever Sergio Romo is closing in on a $15 million, two-year contract. The right-hander, 31, has spent all seven of his big-league seasons with San Francisco.

INDIANS: Second baseman Jason Kipnis had surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his left ring finger.

ORIOLES: Manager Buck Showalter said first baseman Chris Davis got an exemption to use Adderall next season after he received a 25-game suspension this year for using the drug.

ROYALS: Right-hander Edinson Volquez agreed to a two-year contract worth $20 million. Volquez, 31, had a career-best 3.04 ERA in 1922/3 innings for the Pirates last season.