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Alden Gonzalez
multiple authors
LOS ANGELES – A new insurance provision for this year’s World Baseball Classic prevents players from having to insure their contracts after turning 37.
los angeles dodgers infielder miguel rojasThe 37-year-old on February 24 was denied the chance to play for his home country Venezuela in his final season as a player, a disappointment for the 12-year veteran.
“It’s really tough,” Rojas said Saturday during the Dodgers’ annual fan event. “I didn’t know if I was going to be a part of the team or not. I just wanted to be available. If something happens and I’m not part of the team in the first round, I can replace one of the players. I can be there to practice. I just wanted to be there and just be available for my country.”
Insurance endorsements have emerged as a central issue in the lead-up to this year’s WBC, which has become a prestigious baseball tournament.
jose altuvewho would have been the starting second baseman for Venezuela, and francisco lindorThe shortstops for Puerto Rico were the latest stars to be denied entry because their contracts were not insured. The Puerto Rican national team is also reportedly expected to be without a third baseman carlos correacaught by Victor Caratiniand pitchers Emilio Pagan, jose barrios And alexis diazWhich prompted Dr. José Quilles, president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, to publicly consider pulling out of the tournament.
Puerto Rico is set to host Pool A from March 6 to 11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, located in the capital San Juan.
“My only question is: why is it just with our countries? [in Latin America]Like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, some Dominican players?” Rojas said. “I don’t think it’s happening with the United States or with Japan. And I’m not trying to attack anyone or attack what’s happening… but at the end of the day, it seems like it’s just happening to players who want to represent their country from Latin America. So, there’s a lot of things I would like to talk about with someone in control, someone in MLB.”
Major league contracts are fully guaranteed, regardless of potential injuries during the World Baseball Classic. However, insurance protects teams in that scenario. For example, New York Mets were denied payment Edwin Diaz In 2023, he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while representing Puerto Rico.
Insurance company NFP has insured several iterations of the WBC as agreed by MLB and the MLB Players Association. WBC pays the insurance policy. Players whose injuries are classified as “chronic” by the company are harder to get insured clayton kershaw Experienced three years ago. (Kershaw is playing in this year’s tournament, but he is no longer with a major league team and therefore has no contract to insure.)
According to sources familiar with the situation, players are classified as having “chronic” injuries if they meet one of five criteria: if they were on the injured list for at least 60 days last season; Was injured and was unable to participate in the last three games of his two teams last season; Had surgery after that season; Had to undergo more than one surgery throughout his career; Or were placed on the IL in the last day of August last season. The other categories are “intermediate” and “low risk”, which give players a greater chance of being insured.
Contract size affects a player’s likelihood of being insured regardless of classification. Rojas’ contract – a one-year, $5.5 million deal – is relatively short. He also didn’t spend time on the IL last season. But due to his old age the company did not provide him insurance.
If a player cannot be insured, the team may take a risk and let the player play without insurance, because detroit tigers The first was for Miguel Cabrera, another native of Venezuela. It’s not certain whether the Dodgers will do this for Rojas, but the decision needs to be made quickly; The WBC rosters are due Tuesday and will be announced Thursday night.
Rojas said she was recently given a HIPAA form that would allow NFP to delve deeper into her medical history, but she received it too late, which limited her ability to seek alternative options. According to a source, the new provision states that a player’s contract cannot be insured once he turns 37. For example, if a player’s 37th birthday is not until July, that player’s contract will only be insured for March, April, May and June.
Rojas said, “Not having the opportunity to honor my country, represent them and help win the World Baseball Classic is really hard — and not having the opportunity to do that because I’m 37 years old.” “It’s not right. I don’t think it’s right.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan contributed to this report.
