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Cuban star Jose Dariel Abreu defects
http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/8/12/4613816/jose-dariel-abreu-defects-cubaPower-hitting first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu defected from Cuba and is somewhere in the Caribbean, a pair of agents told Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald. Ben Badler of Baseball America confirmed the report.
Abreu, 26, is considered by many to be Cuba's best hitter and could command a bigger contract than fellow Cuban defectors Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig. The slugger posted huge numbers in Cuba's Serie Nacional, hitting .382/.535/.735 in 2012-2013.
It will likely be several months before Abreu signs with a major-league team, according to Badler. Abreu will need to establish residency in another country, have Major League Baseball declare him a free agent and the U.S. government's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will need to clear him before he can sign.
Abreu is expected to set off a large bidding war whenever he hits the market. The Red Sox and the Rangers have the money to sign Abreu and don't have expensive commitments at first base, making them the early favorites.