2018 – Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation reach a historic deal that will allow players from the island to be scouted and signed without having to defect. This recognizes the fact that there should be no going back to the days when players had to put their life and the well-being of their families at risk, and deal with unsavory criminal elements, in order to come to the United States. It creates a situation that is akin to that which prevailed before the Cuban Revolution in 1959. However, the Administration of President Donald Trump will kill the deal on April 8th as part of a policy of maintaining as hard a line as possible in dealing with Cuban authorities.

2018 – Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation reach a historic deal that will allow players from the island to be scouted and signed without having to defect. This recognizes the fact that there should be no going back to the days when players had to put their life and the well-being of their families at risk, and deal with unsavory criminal elements, in order to come to the United States. It creates a situation that is akin to that which prevailed before the Cuban Revolution in 1959. However, the Administration of President Donald Trump will kill the deal on April 8th as part of a policy of maintaining as hard a line as possible in dealing with Cuban authorities.

2017 – For the fourth straight year, the Dodgers are assessed the largest luxury tax payment in MLB, while the Yankees have to make a payment for the 15th straight year – in spite of going through a successful youth movement before the season. Los Angeles will have to pay $36.2 million and New York $15.7 million. Three other teams are assessed much smaller amounts.

2017 – For the fourth straight year, the Dodgers are assessed the largest luxury tax payment in MLB, while the Yankees have to make a payment for the 15th straight year – in spite of going through a successful youth movement before the season. Los Angeles will have to pay $36.2 million and New York $15.7 million. Three other teams are assessed much smaller amounts.

A busy off-season continues with a number of trades and signings. The Padres acquire their third starting outfielder in a few days, landing Justin Upton from the Braves for four prospects, and also obtain 3B Will Middlebrooks from Boston, giving up catcher Ryan Hanigan, who has been with the team for less than a week. The Marlins also continue to be active, as they get OF/IF Martin Prado and P David Phelps from the Yankees for P Nate Eovaldi, 1B Garrett Jones and prospect Domingo German and also send 3B Casey McGehee to San Francisco for a couple of minor leaguers. The Dodgers complete their rumored deal for Jimmy Rollins, sending a couple of pitchers to Philadelphia to obtain the Phillies’ long-time shortstop. In free agent signings, the Royals ink OF Alex Rios for one year at $11 million and the Cubs add back-up C David Ross.

A busy off-season continues with a number of trades and signings. The Padres acquire their third starting outfielder in a few days, landing Justin Upton from the Braves for four prospects, and also obtain 3B Will Middlebrooks from Boston, giving up catcher Ryan Hanigan, who has been with the team for less than a week. The Marlins also continue to be active, as they get OF/IF Martin Prado and P David Phelps from the Yankees for P Nate Eovaldi, 1B Garrett Jones and prospect Domingo German and also send 3B Casey McGehee to San Francisco for a couple of minor leaguers. The Dodgers complete their rumored deal for Jimmy Rollins, sending a couple of pitchers to Philadelphia to obtain the Phillies’ long-time shortstop. In free agent signings, the Royals ink OF Alex Rios for one year at $11 million and the Cubs add back-up C David Ross.

The Dodgers end the Yankees’ fifteen-year streak of owning Major League Baseball’s biggest payroll. When the luxury tax calculations are in for the year, the Dodgers owe $26.6 million, based on a payroll of $257 million. The Yankees also need to pay the tax levied on payrolls above $189 million, and their bill is $18.3 million, down from $28 million in 2013.

The Dodgers end the Yankees’ fifteen-year streak of owning Major League Baseball’s biggest payroll. When the luxury tax calculations are in for the year, the Dodgers owe $26.6 million, based on a payroll of $257 million. The Yankees also need to pay the tax levied on payrolls above $189 million, and their bill is $18.3 million, down from $28 million in 2013.

2013 – After three months of frenzied speculation, it appears that Japanese ace hurler Masahiro Tanaka will not be posted after all, and thus will not leave Japan for the United States next year. Tanaka went 24-0 for the Rakuten Golden Eagles and led them to the first Japan Series title in franchise history, but his team is unhappy that it can only receive $20 million for its top player, after changes to the posting system agreed to recently by Major League Baseball and Nippon Pro Baseball. However, in five days’ time, Rakuten will turn around and grant Tanaka’s request.

2013 – After three months of frenzied speculation, it appears that Japanese ace hurler Masahiro Tanaka will not be posted after all, and thus will not leave Japan for the United States next year. Tanaka went 24-0 for the Rakuten Golden Eagles and led them to the first Japan Series title in franchise history, but his team is unhappy that it can only receive $20 million for its top player, after changes to the posting system agreed to recently by Major League Baseball and Nippon Pro Baseball. However, in five days’ time, Rakuten will turn around and grant Tanaka’s request.

The Texas Rangers make the winning bid for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish

The Texas Rangers make the winning bid for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish

The Texas Rangers make the winning bid for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. As expected, the $51.7 million offer is the largest ever made through the posting system, breaking the record of $51.1 million which the Red Sox offered for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006. The Rangers now have 30 days to agree on a contract with Darvish.

The Diamondbacks sign free agent OF Jason Kubel and the Nationals offer OF Mike Cameron a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Diamondbacks sign free agent OF Jason Kubel and the Nationals offer OF Mike Cameron a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Phillies finalize a $33 million, three-year deal with Jimmy Rollins (.268, 16, 63), which includes a vesting option for 2015 at $11 million. The 33 year-old shortstop has been an integral part of Philadelphia’s recent success of winning five consecutive NL East titles and the 2008 world championship.

The Phillies finalize a $33 million, three-year deal with Jimmy Rollins (.268, 16, 63), which includes a vesting option for 2015 at $11 million. The 33 year-old shortstop has been an integral part of Philadelphia’s recent success of winning five consecutive NL East titles and the 2008 world championship.