Sources very close to the situation have let the Cuban Baseball Digest know that for the upcoming World Baseball Classic will require that anyone playing with Cuba in the tournament obtain a Cuban passport and if they are not a Cuban citizen that you become naturalized.
This request would put players of Cuban descent playing with the country in a precarious situation due to the fact that Cuba is on the list of countries that sponsor terror. Obtaining this nationality without a valid reason might draw the ire of the US State Department and other agencies in the country.
What is even more perplexing is that to participate in the tournament with a national the player just needs to have a parent that was born in that country and although obtaining a nationality is one factor that would qualify you to play it isn’t a requirement.
Player Eligibility:
A player is eligible to participate in the World Baseball Classic if:
• The player is a citizen of the country he represents. (Additionally, if a player has applied for citizenship or a passport and has not yet received it, the player may be eligible through an application from the player or team.)
• If the player is a legal permanent resident of the nation or territory he represents.
• If the player was born in the country or territory he represents.
• If the player has a parent who is, and if deceased, a citizen of the country he represents.
• If one of the player’s parents was born in the nation or territory he represents.
Note: If a player is included on more than one provisional roster, he will be free to choose which team to represent.
Players that are available for Cuba for the World Baseball Classic:
Andy Pagés OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Yoan Moncada IF (Los Angeles Angels)
Jan Carlos Hechavarría RHP (Los Angeles Angels)
Andy Ibáñez IF (Detroit Tigers)
Daysbel Hernández RHP (Atlanta Braves)
Ernesto Martínez IF-OF (Milwaukee Brewers)
Omar Hernández C (Kansas City Royals)
Alexander Vargas IF (New York Yankees)
Yiddi Cappé IF (Miami Marlins)
Denny Larrondo RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Victor Labrada OF (Seattle Mariners)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Toronto Bluejays)
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Toronto Blue Jays)
Pedro Santos RHP (Athletics)
Emmanuel Chapman RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Randy Labaut LHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Nelson Álvarez RHP (Philadelphia Phillies)*
Andrew Pérez LHP (Charros de Jalisco)*
Albert Lara IF (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Marlon Vega RHP (Free Agent)
Osiel Rodríguez RHP (Bravos de León)
Darién Núñez LHP (Delfines de La Guaira)