I agree completely with this view. I mean, really, this seems like a good chance to extend some good will and make ourselves look just a little better in the eyes of the world, and yet we still hold on to our petty little grudge against little, poor, (and most importantly) communist Cuba.
As a lifelong Yankees fan anything Contreras has done in the last two years is too little, too late :D.
Agreed completely.
Contreras was 15-7 for the Yankees, so one can hardly point a finger of blame at him for, well, anything. They handled him stupidly, and gave up on him for no good reason.
They’re Yankees fans, anything below 20-0 is a disappointment 
No 18-2 would have been fine.
Actually his record is deceptive. He couldn’t pitch against Boston at all and that is what basically made the Tampa portion of the Yanks Panic and exile him.
Yanks completely screwed up on Contreras as they did with Trading Lilly for Weaver.
Contreras should have spent a few months in the minors kicker butt and getting mentally ready for the States, insteads Connors and George decided he was good enough to start the season and Stott was the wrong Pitching coach to help him.
Jim
I hope this works, because there is also a story that Puerto Rico wishes to withdraw as a host sight if Cuba is not allowed to play.
Jim
That seems like it would fix the problem that the Treasury Dept. had.
And good on Puerto Rico. I would like to hear some uproar about it from the other nations involved in this. Or even if they aren’t, actually.
I assume you are a Red Sox fan, is this true?
If so I would like to present to the rest of the Baseball World that a Yankee Fan and a Red Sox Fan really can get along and agree on things “Baseball”.
Not often but sometimes.
Jim
Nah, I’m a Cubs fan. I hate both the Yankees and the Red Sox, actually. We can still be happy about agreeing, though. 
Last summer there was a Cuban soccer team in the Gold Cup, which was held across the United States. I’m sure there was money involved, although no idea how it was distributed. But given that it was soccer it probably flew under the WH radar. And their baseball is much better than their futbol.
As for Livan Hernandez, etc. AFAIK Cubans who request asylum in the USA are never deported. Not just baseball players and celebrities, but any that reach US shores. It’s my understanding that it’s policy and they also grant immediate work visas. It’s a special Cuban deal.
Update: The Treasury Department has officially okayed the Cuban team participating as Cuba will not be getting paid, but donating their earnings to Katrina Relief.
Hooray for Cuba & MLB & WBC.
About time to the Treasury.
Jim