MLB makes its long-awaited return to Cuba this afternoon, and ESPN will be handling the TV broadcast back in the U.S. ESPN’s Pedro Gomez, whose parents were Cuban refugees, will be part of the net’s coverage as the Rays take on the Cuban national team, providing reports during the game. Gomez took some time ahead of today's game to talk with THE DAILY about what the future looks like for Cuba and professional baseball.
Q: What’s the impact of the White House’s new guidelines announced last week that effectively allow MLB franchises to sign contracts directly with Cuban players?
Gomez: There are still loopholes. I don’t think that it’s an anybody-can-sign-anyone type of thing. There are still avenues that have to be worked out with the Cuban Baseball Federation. But it’s certainly an incredible step when you consider the past 50-60 years and how there’s been absolutely no possibility for players to sign out of Cuba. So it’s definitely a step toward normalizing Cuban ballplayers being able to sign with MLB clubs.
Q: What’s the method to get Cuban players to MLB? Is it some sort of posting system? Does MLB start to move forward with an international draft?
Gomez: The international draft is probably coming at some point. You certainly look at the economics and MLB owners would likely be in favor of an international draft rather than paying open fees like they have been doing for certain players. That is likely part of this Cuba effort. I’m not sure the Cuban system could be like the Japanese system since those clubs are privately owned. In Cuba, none of these players are part of an “ownership group.” It‘s really the government. And that’s where there could be some issues because of the way the embargo is still set up. Right now, the Cuban government really owns the national league. I don’t know that we’re in the clear yet with all of the details.
Q: What’s the best takeaway MLB can expect from this trip to Cuba?
Gomez: Furthering relations with the Cuban players, the Cuban people and the Cuban government. At some point, there are going to have to be negotiations with the Cuban Baseball Federation. It’s all part of opening the doors. It’s been such a closed society for so many decades that it’s really unchartered territory and everyone is learning how to take steps.
Q: What should Cuba be looking to do with its own domestic league?
Gomez: This is where it gets tricky. If all the Cuban talent starts signing with MLB clubs, that doesn’t leave a lot of talent behind for the Cuban league. It could be very similar to what we saw with the Negro League players around 70 or 80 years ago signing with big league clubs. All of a sudden, the Negro League disappeared just because there wasn’t enough talent. So this is where it gets a little dicey for the Cuban people. And the Cuban people love baseball so much. When the Negro League died, people in the U.S. still had MLB. I think there will always be a national league of pro players in Cuba, but it just won’t be what it has been. The top level talent will want to play in the U.S.
Q: Looking 5-10 years down the road, what does MLB’s relationship with Cuba look like?
Gomez: We may see academies. It may not be 30 academies for 30 clubs like we see in the Dominican Republic, but it may be something more centralized. Rotating Spring Training games also could be on the horizon. As far as having a minor league club down there, that’s probably more than 10 years away. But I can see that down the road.
