Major League Baseball, Cuba ink deal so players can sign without defecting

teams without needing to defect, MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem told Reuters on Wednesday.

The deal provides a safe and legal way for Cubans to reach the big leagues in search of riches and success without the need to defect and resort to dangerous journeys via traffickers.

"Our primary objective in this agreement is to provide players from Cuba a path to the major leagues without having to endure the hardships many of our players have already experienced," Halem told Reuters. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by David Gregorio)