Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Improved U.S.-Cuba Relations Could Be A Game Changer For The Detroit Tigers

By Souichi Terada

facebooktwitterreddit

Recently, the Detroit Tigers traded for a Cuban outfielder named Yoenis Cespedes.

Recently, U.S.-Cuba relations seem to be improving. This has huge implications on the baseball world. There are already many articles (here here and here) about the potential impact this can have.

How does this impact change the Detroit Tigers though?

More from Detroit Tigers

To start off, the Detroit Tigers have never signed one of the premier Cuban outfielders from free agency to a contract.

They’ve been linked to guys like Rusney Castillo and even Cespedes when he was a free agent in the past. Though the Tigers have never signed a marquee name like Castillo or Cespedes they’ve always been partly interested.

They’ve signed Brayan Pena though and he has a pretty cool take on the chance America has given him.

Even this year the Tigers had expressed interest in current Arizona Diamondback Yasmani Tomas.

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) makes a catch against Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (not pictured) during the third inning in game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

On their current roster they have a couple of Cuban players in Cespedes and shortstop Jose Iglesias. Though the Tigers have never outright signed a Cuban player after they defected from their country they’ve acquired a few Cuban players through trades.

As U.S.-Cuba relations become stronger, the improved relations between the two nations can have a huge impact on not only the Tigers but the entire baseball world.

With the emergence of Cuban superstars like Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu, and our now very own Cespedes the landscape of the MLB is changing.

Tons of talented players are still in Cuba and if given the opportunity to come stateside more talent will be dispersed among Major League teams.

But how will the system work? Will it be something like the Japanese post deal type process that we saw abolished just a bit ago? Or will they be able to freely negotiate with any teams as an unrestricted free agent? Seeing how much talent potentially resides in Cuba there will probably have to be a process as a minimum.

Live Feed

Detroit Tigers get pick no. 11 in MLB Draft Lottery
Detroit Tigers get pick no. 11 in MLB Draft Lottery /

Motor City Bengals

  • Former Detroit Tigers announcer shares pair of touching stories about Jim LeylandMotor City Bengals
  • Detroit Tigers News: AJ Hinch, Jim Leyland, more pitching, Winter Meetings updatesMotor City Bengals
  • Detroit Tigers should look to upgrade from Akil Baddoo this off-seasonMotor City Bengals
  • Detroit Tigers and A.J. Hinch reach agreement on a contract extensionMotor City Bengals
  • Guessing random Atlanta Braves players from the past: Here comes the brideHouse That Hank Built

    • No matter the case this will be a huge boost for teams looking for potentially Major League ready talent. If a team like the Tigers need to fill a hole on the field they can look right at the possible new Cuban market.

    The one risk that teams may face is how much of a risk these Cuban players can be. Tomas who signed with the Diamondbacks got much less because of issues about his defense. If teams sign these Cuban players to a mega-contract and they’re not ready to give right away it’ll be years and money right down the drain.

    That’s with any free agent though. If they aren’t going to produce than that will be a sunken cost, just ask the New York Yankees with their Alex Rodriguez situation. Teams might be able to land gold in superstars like the Chicago White Sox did with Abreu and his now dangerous bat.

    Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig in the dugout during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

    The Cuban market has tons of untapped potential. With the few Cuban superstars in the Majors now and how much they’re producing they might become the next Dominican Republic or Venezuela in terms of producing Major League talent. Both nations have been superb in sending over valuable players.

    If the Tigers want to get in on this new influx of Cuban born players they need to look no further. If these U.S.-Cuban relations do get to points where players can come over to play in the Majors relatively soon the Tigers will have all the opportunity in the world to sign them.

    Seeing the few Cubans already on the roster can potentially bode well for the Tigers in the near future. Obviously they will have to outbid other teams to gain these Cuban players services but that’s the same thing for Free Agency. And the Tigers have had no problems reeling in marquee free agents as their team remains a strong one.

    The possibility of Cuban players in Major League Baseball will prove to be an exciting one as fans everywhere will be able to be exposed to the quality of talent overseas. And the Detroit Tigers will have the opportunity to capitalize.

    Now, your thoughts. After the Tigers striking out over the years over Cuban Free Agents, do you think they should pursue Cuban players? Or should they stand pat based on the risk associated? Whatever your thoughts the potential for this changing landscape in baseball will be an exciting one.

    Home/Detroit Tigers