From what my eyes have seen in this Caribbean World Series so far as talent goes, I believe the exclusion of Cuba from the tournament was a grave mistake. Subpar Venezuelan, Colombian, and Panamanian squads have made some games unbearable to watch.

Would Cuba have fared well in this edition of the Serie del Caribe? Plenty of factors have led me to assume they would. In my opinion, only the Dominicans (guilas Cibaeas) on paper would have a better squad.

My first reason would be the offensive firepower Cuba would bring into the tournament. A lineup with Nippon Leaguers Alfredo Despaigne, Ariel Martnez, and Yurisbel Gracial to start would be problematic for plenty of these pitching staffs in the tournament. Now we also need to factor in Erisbel Arruebarruena who hit .333 with 10 dingers and 23 runs batted in with Guasave in Mxico this winter. Roel Santos and Yoelkis Guibert would bring dynamic speed and occasional power to this lineup, while Lisban Correa and his 30 dingers in Cuba this season would add more thunder to an already loaded batting order.

Cesar Prieto, who is Cubas most sought after prospect would also add a versatile and clutch hitter to a lineup of mashers. In my opinion, Cans presence in this tournament would keep Prieto from being the best second baseman in the series.

A pitching rotation headed by Yariel Rodrguez of the Chunichi Dragons and Saltillos Lzaro Blanco who is 4-1 with 1.22 earned run average in the CWS would rival even the DRs staff. Lefty Yoennis Yera who was 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA in Mxico this winter would also give Cuba a quality lefty in the rotation. A bullpen that would include flamethrowers Livn Moinelo (NPBs Pacific Division Pitcher of the Year), Raidel Martnez (21 saves in NPB), Andy Rodrguez (SoftBank Hawks), and Yunior Tur would be very formidable.

Cubas bench would be staffed by Rafael Viales who hit 19 long balls this season in Cuba and can play everything on the field, except pitch. Yordan Manduleys inclusion would also add versatility to the bench and a timely bat, while Guillermo Avils and Yordanis Samn would add thunder and options in late inning situations. Santiago Torres at second and Geisel Cepeda ( the legendary Frederich Cepedas cousin) would round out the bench with another two of Cubas top prospects at their positions.

Leaving Cuba out only takes away from the tournaments attractiveness, appeal, and lore. A solution must be found to include the largest of the Antilles in the Caribbean Series.

Cubas record in the last three Caribbean Series it participated in (not counting the Semifinal and Final):

2017:3-1 (Semifinalist)2018:3-1 ( Semifinalist)2019:2-2 ( Runner-up)

Between 2017-2019 Cuba went 8-4, this Cuban team man for man can only be matched by a Dominican Republic squad this is chock full of major leaguers on paper.

What a Cuban team could have possibly looked for the Serie del Caribe and what team each player plays with outside of Cuba:

Lineup:

Roel Santos CF (Tabasco/Hermosillo)Csar Prieto 2B (Tabasco)Yurisbel Gracial 3B (SoftBank)Alfredo Despaigne DH (SoftBank)Lisban Correa 1BErisbel Arruebarrena SS (Guasave)Ariel Martnez C (Chunichi)Dennys Laza RFYoelkis Guibert LF (Culiacn)

Rotation:

Yariel Rodrguez RHP (Chunichi)Lzaro Blanco RHP (Saltillo)Carlos Juan Viera RHP (Los Mochis/Saltillo)Yoennis Yera LHP (Guasave/Saltillo)Vladimir Baos RHP

Bench:

Yordan Manduley SS (Magallanes)Guillermo Avils 1B (Los Mochis)Yordanis Samn DHRafael Viales tilSantiago Torres INFGeisel Cepeda OF

Bullpen:

Pablo Guillen RHP (Aragua)Yoen Socarras RHPFrank Madan RHPFrank Medina RHPYunior Tur RHPAndy Rodrguez RHP (SoftBank)Livan Moinelo LHP (SoftBank)Raidel Martnez RHP (Chunichi)

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Caribbean World Series: Would Cuba have done well if invited to this years tournament? - Call to the Pen