
The LVBP champions could run out of equipment for the MLB boycott of Venezuela | AP
The economic embargo promoted by the government of Donald Trump towards Venezuela has led Major League Baseball to do the same with its vinotinto counterpart, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) by prohibiting all baseball players associated with MLB from participating in the league winter until the embargo is lifted.
#Deportes | Al menos 26 peloteros podrían no asistir a la temporada 2019-2020 de la LVBP para jugar con Cardenales de #Lara debido a las restricciones impuestas por la MLB #27Ago https://t.co/PByrOShdYg
— La Prensa de Lara (@laprensalaraweb) August 27, 2019
The measure could severely affect the Venezuelan championship, since most of the teams feed on players associated with Major League Baseball; A clear example of this are the current LVBP champions, the Cardinals of Lara, since at least 26 of their players will not be able to return for the 2019-2020 season.
Si la temporada se jugara de todas todas, los actuales campeones, Cardenales de Lara, la verían negra. No contarían con Ravelo, Pérez, Angulo, Machado, Paulino, Álvarez, Escobar, entre otros del sistema MILB/MLB
— Pisa y corre (@SergioLopezFX) August 23, 2019
According to information from La Prensa de Lara, 10 of the players who were champions last season play for major league teams, while 16 are playing in minor league branches, most of them Venezuelan.
Only 5 of the players who were crowned last year are not associated with any major league organization.