I'm no expert here on rules, but I think this could, in theory at least, make the amount of Cubans entering Pro Ball increase. Not as much as one would think- as the embargo will continue to nix any official agreement between MLB and the Cuban government- but because it could, in theory, make it easier for a player to defect.

"Ah, yes, I'm going to spend a month in Mexico, see you later!"
(a month passes, then two...)
"Why isn't he back yet?"


Of course, this presumes a LOT of things. For one thing, the really good players- the ones on the National Team- would presumably have restrictions placed upon them in some form (government handlers, for example). And, of course, if they defect, then they can't go back. This cannot be forgotten: most people believe that Yulieski Gourriel will never defect because it would mean leaving his beloved father, who is a coach in Cuba.

I hope that this nonsense with Cuba with be over somewhere in my lifetime.

If Cuban players are allowed to leave temporarily, is there any reason they can't sign with the Blue Jays?

If nothing else, it'll make it easier for the families of players who have already defected to reunite with them.

Sounds like there will still be some restrictions, so presumably this could affect baseball players:

In a bid to prevent an exodus of the nation’s best and brightest, certain professionals won’t benefit from the change in rules.

The government plans to restrict some travel “to defend itself from the interventionist and subversive plans of the U.S. government and its allies,” according to today’s statement. “Measures will remain to preserve the human capital created by the revolution.”

If nothing else, it'll make it easier for the families of players who have already defected to reunite with them.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was going to say, Vlad. It may actually make a guy like Gourriel more likely to defect, as once he lands his multimillion dollar contract, he won't have any problem bankrolling his family's exit from Cuba.

If nothing else, it'll make it easier for the families of players who have already defected to reunite with them.

That's great news for Rey Ordonez! Oh, wait...

Measures will remain to preserve the human capital created by the revolution

The human capital destroyed by the revolution? Knock yourself out!

Baseball aside, this is a huge step forward for the Cuban people. So, yay!
Before I went to Cuba, I don't think I fully appreciated how valuable the right to travel abroad really is. Without it, especially in country where the media is state controlled, you lose the ability to pop outside the bubble and see your own country from a new perspective.

[9] that is a huge point, unless the "human capital" restriction ends up applying to everyone who can afford to travel abroad. :(

Gosh, ya gotta love commie-speak.

If nothing else, it'll make it easier for the families of players who have already defected to reunite with them.

Assuming that the Cuban government doesn't act like a dick as a way of sticking it to defectors and thus discourage defection.