There has to been talk in the rumor mill of a future winter league taking place in Florida. Sources tell the Cuban Baseball Digest that it is in the development stages as we speak and is being led by a team of investors that could make this winter league a major player in the near future. This could even draw the eye of the Caribbean World Series for future tournaments.
What would this mean to the winter circuits, how would this change the game and how would major league teams take to this new league? Could this league actually work and would this mean for the Cuban exile community?
If this new league were to be founded in the near future it would give players a bonified option stateside to train in the offseason and get ready for spring training, not only near some camps, but would give them the option to stay within the cozy confines of the United States. Teams have had concerns about player safety in the recent seasons. The José Castillo death in Venezuela is a cautionary tale of what could happen to a player playing abroad in the winter with the growing uncertainty and security concerns in professional leagues abroad, especially in the Caribbean.
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With a tight backing and good organization this league could rival the Dominican and Mexican Winter Leagues in talent, especially if it is able to siphon the Cuban and Cuban-American talent that plays in those circuits and this is very possible considering that most of that talent resides in South Florida. This could be a game-changer for most major league ball clubs, because they could keep their players closer to hone and monitor their progress stateside rather than abroad.
This league could also draw the backing of the Cuban exile community, being that it would be more than likely made of predominantly Cuban and Cuban-American players. This circuit would finally have some or even most of their players closer to home. This would also give them access to see these players and also watch some of the Cuban prospects they follow during the minor league season. This would also bring more jobs to the cities that the teams are located in and another revenue stream for its inhabitants.
All in all with the proper organization and backing this league could be a hit and revitalize winter league ball in the Caribbean. It would also breathe a breath of fresh into offseason baseball and provide another option stateside to rival the Arizona Fall League.