USA TODAY has a piece today on the demise of Fidel Castro and how it could affect the talent flow to Major League Baseball.

Castro was noted for his particular baseball obsession, developing national teams over the years that have had major league scouts drooling. There were eight Cuban-born players in the major leagues during the 2007 season; all defectors from the country. Recent defector Alexei Ramirez is expected to join Jose Contreras and Livan and Orlando Hernandez when the White Sox begin play this year.

While Contreras celebrated the news, some front office types were hoping it could mean more opportunities:

Baseball executives have long wanted free access to signing Cuban talent, and New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya said he hopes Tuesday’s development is a step in that direction. “Hopefully, there will be a day that players will be allowed to play here without defecting.”

It’s not happening save the U.S. lifting its economic embargo with the island nation down the road, and that’s still just as far away under Raul Castro as it was under his older brother. For now, the only taste of Cuban talent we will see on the larger stages will remain defectors, unless it’s sanctioned international competition.