We learned yesterday why there has been a holdup on Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada has not yet signed with anyone. An administrative holdup in which MLB is waiting for clearance from the Office of Foreign Asset Controls which the Office of Foreign Asset Controls does not think it necessary to give. That’s . . . not ideal.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo reported last night, however, that MLB officials and the government are discussing the matter and that it may soon be clarified:
MLB was drafting a letter to OFAC on Tuesday asking for a meeting in the near future to clarify the new regulations and potentially change league policy, which requires a specific unblocking license. Should a meeting take place soon, one league official estimated Moncada could be free to negotiate with teams within two weeks.
Sounds like simple confusion, mostly. And that, barring anything unexpected, Moncada should be able to report to camp with his new team. Whichever team it may be.