By one agent's estimate, more than 40 Cuban players have defected in the past year and a half, an unusually high number. The list of players includes former All-Stars (Jose Julio Ruiz, Dayan Viciedo, Jose Iglesias, Deynis Suarez), World Baseball Classic team members (Yadel Marti, Leslie Anderson, Yuniesky Maya), young prospects (Juan Yasser Serrano, Israel Soto, Noel Arguelles) and of course one superstar prospect (Aroldis Chapman). The lure of the major leagues has always attracted Cubans, but conversations with several industry sources reveal that perhaps the attraction of playing professionally has never been greater. Economic factors, of course, play a factor, but the way Cuban baseball is organized is also a factor. Here are several assorted reasons why a Cuban may be coming to your favorite major league team soon.

1. RAUL CASTRO: Cuba's President -- and Fidel's brother -- has not brought the economic changes many in Cuba had wanted or expected.