Baseball has a history of Cuban defectors making it to the big leagues. Presumably, Aroldis Chapman will add to that list when the Reds call him up, perhaps later this season. Here's a list of the 10 most recent Cuban defectors to play in the majors and what they're doing now, according to cubanball.com.
Adrian Hernandez
Defected: January 2000
MLB: He signed a $4 million contract with the Yankees and made his MLB debut in 2001. He was with the Brewers in 2004 and is now out of the majors.
Jose Contreras
Defected: October 2002
MLB: Famously signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Yankees in December 2002. He was traded to the White Sox two years later and is now a reliever for the Phillies.
Yuniesky Betancourt
Defected: July 2003
MLB: He started his career with the Mariners, where he quickly developed a reputation as great fielder at shortstop. Poor plate discipline led Seattle to trade him in 2009 to the Royals, where he's batting .257.
Alay (Alain) Soler
Defected: December 2003
MLB: Signed a three-year, $2.8 million contract with the Mets in 2004. The Mets released him three years later and, two teams later, he announced his retirement in September 2008.
Barbaro Canizares
Defected: February 2004
MLB: He signed with the Braves in 2006 and made his Major League debut in June 2009. After playing five games with Atlanta, he was sent back to Class AAA Gwinnett, where he's currently playing.
Francisley Bueno
Defected: June 2004
MLB: He started out in the Braves organization and made his MLB debut in August 2008. He spent 2009 with Gwinnett and is now pitching for Diablos Rojos del Mexico.
Kendry Morales
Defected: June 2004
MLB: He landed on a raft in Florida in 2004 before establishing residency in the Dominican Republic and signed with the Angels in 2005. He came in second in the American League MVP voting in 2009 and may miss the rest of this season with a broken leg.
Juan Miranda
Defected: February 2005
MLB: He signed a four-year, $2 million contract with the Yankees in 2006 and made it to the majors in September 2008. He's currently with the Yankees, batting .224 in in 64 at-bats.
Yoslan Herrera
Defected: June 2005
MLB: Herrera made his Major League debut in June 2008 with the Pirates but never could stick in the majors. In March, he signed a minor league contract with the Twins.
Alexei Ramirez
Defected: September 2007
MLB: He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting for 2008 with the White Sox and is currently batting .274 with 9 home runs for first-place Chicago.
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