MLB seeks safe path for Cuban players

Major League Baseball wants to find a safe and legal way for Cubans to reach the big leagues without the need for dangerous overseas journeys in search of riches, a top MLB official said on Tuesday.

"It is the goal of our commissioner and our owners to ultimately negotiate with the Cuban Baseball Federation ... a safe and legal path for Cuban baseball players who desire to play in Major League Baseball," said Dan Halem, MLB's chief legal officer..

Halem is part of a goodwill mission to Cuba that includes celebrated Cuban defectors such as Jose Abreu and Yasiel Puig who were given special permission to return to their country despite their illegal departures from the island.