According to a newspaper in Miami, two of Cuba’s most famous players have defected. Brothers Yulieski and Lourdes Gourriel have left Ciego de Avila following the conclusion of the Caribbean Series in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Yulieski Gourriel is an infielder, who has been considered as one of the best players in Cuba in the past decade. His 22-year-old brother Lourdes Gourriel is an outfielder. Both played for Cuba in the Premier12 in November.
They are now looking to establish residency outside of Cuba and then look to sign with a MLB organization. Players who are older than 23 years and cleared to sign are considered free agents without any restrictions regarding the international signing pool.