Florida legislators seek changes to U.S. baseball draft for Cubans

By Bill Cotterell TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - Florida state legislators voted on Friday to pressure Major League Baseball into changing its rules so players in Cuba will be in a better bargaining position when dealing with professional teams in the United States. The state House of Representatives voted 93-16 for an economic development bill that provides $12 million in tax breaks for professional sports franchises expanding or renovating their facilities in Florida. An amendment was inserted requiring Major League Baseball to allow Cuban players to bargain with teams as free agents, rather than competing in the amateur draft. If they come directly to the United States, they are then subject to the amateur draft.

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