Two Cuban outfielders have new teams in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol after being released by their former teams. Yusniel Díaz was released by the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna and later claimed off waivers by the Leones de Yucatán, while Dairon Blanco was waived by the Texas Rangers organization and recently signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo.
Yusniel Díaz recently signed with the A&F Sports Agency and will now be represented by renown Cuban-American sports agent Gladys Alonso. Several teams from LIDOM, Liga ARCO, and LBPRC are interested in signing the outfielder this winter, for the summer he had signed with Conspiradores de Querétaro of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, but was then traded to Unión Laguna.
Prior to his release by Unión Laguna Díaz was slashing .354/.494/.477/.871 with a homer and 15 runs batted in over 15 games with the Mexican ballclub. The Cuban slugger signed for a $15.5 million bonus with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 and reached the Major Leagues with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
This summer, Díaz played with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association and also played in LIDOM with the Leones del Escogido during the 2020 season. In 2018 he was part of the Futures Game hitting a pair of homeruns in the contest. Díaz was also the main piece in the trade that sent Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his minor league career he slashed .262/.345/.420/.765 with 73 longballs, 333 runs batted in and 50 stolen bases.
Blanco became a free agent after being released by the Texas Rangers. The Camagüey-born outfielder is looking to showcase his talents in a new league opportunity after his time with the Rangers organization came to an end. After pedestrian like stats at Triple-A with Texas, he did not receive any other MLB opportunities. In 73 plate appearances in the minors this season he slashed .230/.324/.295/.619 with four doubles and seven stolen bases.
Although he was unable to find his offensive rhythm this year, he had previously posted very strong numbers in the minor leagues. Hitting .285 with 140 stolen bases with the Rangers, Athletics and Royals organizations over a 563 game span. Blanco has seen MLB action with the Kansas City Royals hitting .257 with seven homeruns, 34 runs batted in, 59 stolen bases and a .728 OPS in 171 games . When he received opportunities with the Royals, he showed he could provide value with his speed and versatility.
Cubans in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol in 2026:
Frank Abel Álvarez RHP (Oaxaca)
Raico Santos OF (Quintana Roo)
Diosbel Arias IF (Quintana Roo)
Julio Robaina LHP (Quintana Roo)
Yurisbel Gracial IF-OF (Querétaro)
Henry Urrutia IF-DH (Querétaro)
Miguel Romero RHP (Querétaro)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Querétaro)
Yusniel Díaz OF (Querétaro, Unión Laguna, Yucatán)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Durango)
Elían Leyva RHP (Durango,Unión Laguna)**
David Villar IF (Durango)*
Jimmy Yacabonis RHP (Mexico City)*
Albert Lara IF (Unión Laguna)
Yadir Drake IF-OF (Yucatán,Unión Laguna)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Yucatán)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Puebla)
Onelki García LHP (Campeche)
Félix Pérez IF-OF (Campeche)
Roenis Elías LHP (Dos Laredos)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Dos Laredos)
Rigo Gómez LHP (Dos Laredos)*
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Saltillo)
Oscar Luis Colás OF (Saltillo)
Dairon Blanco OF (Saltillo)
Roel Santos OF (Tabasco,Querétaro)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Tabasco)
Maikel Serrano OF (Aguascalientes)
Luis Medina IF (León)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Jalisco)
Josh Fuentes IF (Jalisco)*
Coco Montes IF (Monterrey)*
*Cuban-American