Former Padres Infielder Drafted in First Ever Dubai Baseball League

A new destination to continue his career.

One former Padre recently joined several former MLB players in the newest league to grow the sport internationally. 

Baseball heads to the Middle East with the newest league in Dubai giving a path to playing time for Robinson Cano among other players who will continue their careers abroad after dominating in America. 

A new professional baseball league in Dubai had its first ever draft today

Bartolo Colon, Robinson Cano, Pablo Sandoval and Didi Gregorius were among the players selected

(via @BaseballUnited) pic.twitter.com/RHGtjZMrcE

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 23, 2023

Cano spent the majority of his best years with the Yankees but had a few productive seasons with the Mariners on a massive 10-year contract. 

Seattle proved to be the end of his All-Star form and the Dominican turned into a journeyman to finish his MLB tenure. 

Part of that included some stints with the Mets and the Padres but multiple PED suspensions and ineffective play essentially ended his career in the show. 

What could have been a Hall of Fame career all but went up in smoke after the suspensions but Cano isn't giving up his playing days just yet. 

The now 41-year-old will now play in Dubai for what's assumed to be a massive sum. 

Middle Eastern countries have grown increasingly involved in the athletic world after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the LIV Golf League and the Saudi Arabian Soccer League all have come up in recent years. 

Now the region dips its toes into America's pasttime with fan favorites such as Bartolo Colon and Pablo Sandoval also joining the fray. 

It may not be the storybook ending that these players hoped but the financial compensation should more than make up for the lackluster competition. 

The league is another example of the growing global sport after MLB's ties to Korea, Japan and Latin America have been documented for decades now. 

Cano's star power from his previous MVP form is sure to add to the game's global popularity as the sport seeks a new audience once again. first-everfirst-everfirst-ever