The Cuban Baseball Federation issued a statement on an issue we’ve been discussing for some time on our show and social media. MLB has not formally extended its invitation to Cuba to participate in the VI World Baseball Classic and Cuba has not yet submitted its preliminary roster to MLB due to this unforseen event.
Specifically, OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control)which is the body that must grant MLB the license for Cuba to participate in the WBC 26th minute. Until that happens, MLB cannot process Cuba’s participation in the tournament. Last tournament the Antilleans were not given their OFAC license until December of that year and did not submit their preliminary roster until the following January.
MLB has several scenarios in place in case Cuba cannot participate, including the possibility of selecting a substitute country. Ultimately, without an OFAC license, MLB cannot do anything regarding Cuba’s participation. One source tells me that Spain might be let into the tournament if Cuba is unable to participate in the competition.
The island faced a similar situation during the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic which was also on the island of Puerto Rico, but the US government eventually gave the island the license when various other countries such as Puerto Rico threatened to boycott the event if Cuba was not given the authorization to play in the event.