Cubans Defect!

From El Nacional:

Word is the Cuban national team’s double play combination of SS Eduardo Paret and 2B Yuliesky Gourriel both defected immediately after leading Cuba to a gold medal at the 2006 Central American games in Cartagena, Columbia.

Most baseball fans will remember the 22-year-old Gourriel from the WBC. He was considered Cuba’s top positional talent after the defection of Kendry Morales. According to a Baseball America feature during the WBC, Gourriel was considered unlikely to defect, as his team, Sancti Spirtus, was managed by his father, Lourdes, and also featured his brother, Yuniesky. There’s no guarantee Gourriel will get his visa situation worked out in time to sign this year, but if he does, he immediately becomes the top talent available internationally.

Paret’s prospects for a major league career are significantly less. Already 33, Paret has been an important member of the Cuban national team for years, and won the MVP award at least year’s World Cup in the Netherlands, but he’s not really considered a special talent.

I’m going to wait for confirmation from some additional sources, but if this is true, the international signing period just got a LOT more interesting.