31.   The road to the major leagues for the latest pair of Cuban defectors may go through the Bahamas and none of the Latin countries their predecessors have used.

32.   The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms on minor league contracts with two Cuban defectors, outfielder William Ortega and second baseman Jesus Ametller.

33.   The way Cuban defector El Duque Herandez was firing darts, it was more than he needed.

34.   The Yankees will meet with the agent for the Cuban defector Orlando Hernandez on Monday, though their interest is mild at best.

35.   The Yankees expect that their oral agreement with the Cuban defector Andy Morales will become official after all the necessary paperwork is filed and processed.

36.   The Yankees are one of four teams the agent has been negotiating with for the services of the latest Cuban defector, Orlando Hernandez.

37.   There was much buzz in the baseball world as Cuban defectors Livan Hernandez and Osvaldo Fernandez peddled themselves to the highest bidder in the winter.

38.   They tried again last year, when they signed Cuban defector Livan Hernandez, but the young pitcher was not ready for the majors.

39.   What the Yankees must fear is that he may go the way of Cuban defectors who have tasted freedom but not much major-league success.

40.   Posada and Remon, who wrote the letter for Posada, maintain that their mission in Panama was to smuggle out a high-ranking Cuban defector.