As soon as the WBC (World Baseball Classic) was over, another Cuban exile pitcher was born.
Yariel Rodriguez (Chunichi Dragons) did not return to his team immediately after participating in the 2023 WBC. Instead he is knocking out American asylum through the Dominican Republic.
Rodriguez was Chunichi’s winning setup man last year. He pitched in 56 games with a fastball of 161 km at the top, and made a big success with 6 wins, 2 losses, 39 holds, and an average ERA of 1.15. He pitched twice as a starter in the WBC as well, pitching well with an earned run average of 2.45.
But was it acting that he did his best for his country? Or was it a showcase to show one’s worth?
Cuba was defeated and eliminated by the United States in the semifinals of the WBC held in Miami, USA. However, Rodriguez chose asylum instead of returning to Japan. Major league officials see him as a talent who can start in the 3rd to 5th major leagues.
If Rodriguez wants to play in the major leagues, breaking his contract with his team, Chunichi, is essential. This is because Cuban baseball players enter Japan on the condition that they pay part of their annual salary to Cuba according to the agreement between the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB). Players who broke their contracts and fled to the U.S. after advancing to Japan in this way include Adolis Garcia (Texas Rangers) and Oscar Colas (Chicago White Sox).
Chunichi, who finished at the bottom of the Central League last year, does not want to let go easily. Chunichi coach Kazuyoshi Tatsunami expressed his frustration, saying, “A player we needed suddenly left the team right before the opening.” Previously, in the case of Colas, his team, Softbank Hawks, announced that he was a ‘restricted player’.
The only thing the Cuban side can ask for from Rodriguez is compensation. The federation is demanding 10 million dollars (about 13 billion won) in damages.토토사이트 That’s the equivalent of a year’s worth of the contract Rodriguez is expected to sign (5 years, $50 million).