The head Cuban Baseball Federation was upset when speaking of Yariel Rodríguez situation via Twitter this morning and the news of his departure to the Dominican Republic to seek a contract with a Major League team. Rodríguez decided to abandon his contract with the Chunichi Dragons and broke away from the FCB looking fulfill his dream of playing in the MLB.
According to colleague Francys Romero who was the first to report it, Rodríguez is in the Dominican Republic and seeking to sign in the MLB. As per scouts, the flame throwing Cuban is valued at 50 million and does not have any type of restriction impeding his signing because he is over 25 years old and has six seasons of professional experience. Rodríguez who was the ace of the Cuban team in the WBC had two immaculate starts during the tournament.
A press release today in JIT(a state sponsored digital newspaper) issued by the Federation states: “By virtue of the provisions in current contract with the FCB and the Cuban Federation, we make public that” the athlete acknowledges and accepts that compliance with this contract begins from the moment he leaves Cuba for Japan and ends upon his return to Cuba. In case of breach of the contract on his part without just cause, at the discretion of the Federation, you will not be able to sign with any other club or third parties without the express authorization of the Federation.”
La FCB exigirá derechos en caso de pítcher Yariel Rodríguez
— JIT Deporte Cubano (@jit_digital) March 29, 2023
Así se explica en una nota de la entidad dada a conocer en horas de la noche de hoy. #Cuba #BaseBall #Beisbol https://t.co/VjFw01VjDR pic.twitter.com/BRL5TPLHzl
The press release ends as follows” “ in case of abandonment the FCB will require the figure of 10 million dollars for damages. Because of the way the agreement is structured we reserve the right to demand compensation ”. We will also to wait for and see what Chunichi’s responce is to the situation, since the Dragons have not yet take action on the matter.
The Dragons can place Yariel Rodríguez on the list of restricted players for breaching a contract that is in place for the next two seasons, since Rodríguez signed his extension with the Nagoya franchise last December , In the Havana. Something similar could happen to Óscar Colás, who could not be signed by any Major League Baseball organization until the contract expired.
Here are the DECLARATIONS OF THE CUBAN BASEBALL FEDERATION in their entirety:
The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) informs that the athlete Yariel Rodríguez Yordi decided not to join the Chunichi Dragons franchise, belonging to the professional league of Japan, with which he has a current employment contract.
The fact constitutes a serious breach of what was agreed for 2023-2024 between Dragons, the athlete and our Federation, which acts as his representative in the agreement.
By virtue of the provisions of the aforementioned agreement, we make public that “the athlete acknowledges and accepts that compliance with this contract begins from the moment he leaves Cuba for Japan and ends upon his return to Cuba. Upon not reporting this constitutes a breach of the contract on his part without just cause, at the discretion of the Federation, he may not be signed by any other club or third parties without the express authorization of the Cuban Federation… “.
This segment of the document adds that in case of abandonment, the FCB will require the figure of 10 million dollars for damages.
By the letter of that agreement we will demand damages.
Cuban Baseball Federation
Havana, March 28, 2023