What a WBC team would look like if Cuba were a normal place.

What a Cuban World Baseball Classic team could look like in the tournament is always up in the air based on Cuba’s political history and the Cuban Federation’s past stubbornness in letting players outside of its control return to the island. The mistreatment of most of these athletes has somewhat handcuffed the FCB in the recruitment process of some of these players for the 2026 WBC.

Players that are signed by MLB organizations such as Andy Ibáñez, Andy Pagés, Daysbel Hernández, Yoán Moncada and Ernesto Martínez have already given Cuba their commitment to play for the country in the upcoming tournament. The Federation is secretly targeting the nation’s biggest names, but it might be to no avail in the cases of stars such as Yordan Álvarez, Adolis García and Cionel Pérez, who have said no in the past and I do not see that changing. Adrián Morejón has already rebuffed the FCB earlier this month.

Luis Robert and Jorge Soler have also said no, as long as all Cubans are not allowed to play with squad. Cuba has banned players who have abandoned the team during an international event. Players that are associated with the Cuban Federation such as Ariel Martínez, Liván Moinelo, Raidel Martínez,Dario Sarduy and Frank Abel Álvarez will more than likely be with the team in Puerto Rico next March. To counteract the rejection of some stars Cuba might target young prospects such as Lázaro Montes, Yanquiel Fernández and Dyan Yamel Jorge to add some artillery to Cuba’s lineup.

If Cuba were a normal country it could sport a lineup with the explosive bats of Yordan Álvarez, Luis Robert, Adolis García, Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena. A Cuban-American legend such as Nolan Arenado and an upcoming shortstop such as Zach Neto could also see action with Cuba, if it were like other countries. Cuba could also have catcher Edgar Quero in its lineup, but he has also declined to participate with the country in the past.

Cuba’s rotation would be headed by lefties Néstor Cortés, Carlos Rodón and Liván Moinelo, while RHP’s Johan Oviedo and Alex Faedo would round up the starters. The bullpen would possibly be the team’s strength incorporating Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Raidel Martínez, Daysbel Hernández, Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, Adrián Morejón and Cuban-American Ryan Fernández, if Cuba were a normal place.

A bench of José Iglesias, Ariel Martínez, Andy Ibáñez, JC Escarra, Jorge Soler and Lourdes Gurriel Jr would be a luxury for any country. If Cuba were a normal place it would probably have a team dignified of winning the tournament. Hopefully, but not likely in our lifetime we could see a team this talented grace the field for the island, but it doesn’t hurt to dream.

What a Cuban team would look like, if Cuba was a normal place.

Lineup:

  1. Luis Robert CF
  2. Yandy Díaz 1B
  3. Nolan Arenado 3B*
  4. Yordan Álvarez DH
  5. Adolis García RF
  6. Randy Arozarena LF
  7. Yoán Moncada 2B
  8. Edgar Quero C
  9. Zach Neto SS*

Rotation:

  1. Nestor Cortés Jr LHP
  2. Carlos Rodón LHP*
  3. Johan Oviedo RHP
  4. Liván Moinelo LHP
  5. Alex Faedo RHP*

Bench:

Lourdes Gurriel Jr OF

Jorge Soler OF-DH

Andy Ibáñez IF

Ariel Martínez IF-C

JC Escarra C*

José Iglesias IF

Bullpen:

Raidel Martínez RHP

Raisel Iglesias RHP

Cionel Pérez LHP

Aroldis Chapman LHP

Yennier Cano RHP

Ryan Fernández RHP*

Adrián Morejón LHP

Daysbel Hernández RHP

*Cuban-American

CubaCuban Baseball DigestCuban Baseball FederationCuban National TeamFCBInternational BaseballWorld Baseball Classic
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