The United States and Cuba will hold talks on restoring diplomatic relations – which of course could open the floodgates of Cuban ballplayers to the major leagues:

WASHINGTON — The United States will open talks with Cuba aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations and opening an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than a half century after the release of an American contractor held in prison for five years, American officials said Wednesday.

President Obama plans to make a televised statement from the White House at noon about the breakthrough, which opens the door to a major international initiative that could help shape his legacy heading into his final two years in office.

As it stands now, Cuban baseball players must defect from Cuba, establish residency in another nation (say, Mexico) and then come to the United States to play baseball. Presumably, this would ease that transition significantly.

MLB issued the following statement:

MLB statement regarding U.S. relations with Cuba: pic.twitter.com/UXVH9LxgJO

— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) December 17, 2014