Unrest in Venezuela could effect talent pipeline

bedir than average · 05-22-2007, 12:23 PM

Chavez Consolidating Power « Global Baseball

Quote:

When I interviewed Peter Bjarkman back in March, he briefly mentioned the possibility of the Venezuelan Government, as part of its march towards socialism, taking control of the contracts signed by the country’s amateur baseball players, and negotiating on those players’ behalves. While any vestiges of a state economy are troubling, government control of baseball contracts could actually potentially benefit amateur baseball players. Attempts by Latin American governments to set limits on the percentage of signing bonuses trainers are allowed to take have been met with indifference. Of course, relying on a government moving towards socialism to treat these kids fairly has its own set of problems.

Chavez might be viewing his nation's baseball talent like he did the oil riches. Likely feels that the entire nation should benefit and not just the limited groups of successful big leaguers.

Nocahoma · 05-22-2007, 03:09 PM

Wow. There's an interesting twist I hadn't anticipated. Perhaps it's because Chavez also has an interest in screwing the US in any way possible.

bigheadache · 05-22-2007, 07:06 PM

The Astros have been running a baeball academy in Venezuela for years. They've produced a number of big name major league players through the academy, Johan Santana, Bobby Abreu, Melvin Mora, Carlos Guillen and a many more. They still run the academy, but not nearly as many players are coming out of it. I've wondered for a while if the political climate has something to do with it.

Also in past years, the Astros have sent some of their top American prospects to play winter ball in Venezuela. This year, they only sent Jason Lane and called him back after only 2 weeks. The excuse was a minor injury, but you have to wonder.

bedir than average · 05-30-2007, 09:57 AM

Instability in Venezuela could threaten flow of baseball talent to U.S. | Sports | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Quote:

Castillo's concern is a result of the tenuous relationship between Venezuela and Major League Baseball, fueled in part by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's anti-American rhetoric and rumors of radical baseball legislation that would prohibit players from joining U.S. teams.

"I'm worried for my cousin and the other kids who haven't signed yet," Castillo, a 17-year-old outfielder, said through a translator from the Angels spring training complex in Tempe, Ariz. "If the situation gets worse, they may not get a chance to play in the states. The government should stay out of baseball. We've all heard changes are coming, but I wish they would leave us alone."

This story has legs. Is there about to be a second Cuba, this one with even better players?

05-22-2007, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nocahoma Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,238	Wow. There's an interesting twist I hadn't anticipated. Perhaps it's because Chavez also has an interest in screwing the US in any way possible.

05-22-2007, 07:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigheadache Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roswell, NM Posts: 738	The Astros have been running a baeball academy in Venezuela for years. They've produced a number of big name major league players through the academy, Johan Santana, Bobby Abreu, Melvin Mora, Carlos Guillen and a many more. They still run the academy, but not nearly as many players are coming out of it. I've wondered for a while if the political climate has something to do with it. Also in past years, the Astros have sent some of their top American prospects to play winter ball in Venezuela. This year, they only sent Jason Lane and called him back after only 2 weeks. The excuse was a minor injury, but you have to wonder.