Lie About Your Identity in the Caribbean and You Could Be Rewarded!

[BaltimoreTerp]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/14/dominican-player-involved-in-identity-fraud-flap-rewarded-with-65-times-greater-signing-bonus/

A strange tale from the pages of Baseball America. The basics:

-Dominican prospect Juan Carlos Paniagua signs a deal with the Diamondbacks for $17,000. The deal is conditional while a background check takes place;

-After pitching for the Dbacks developmental team for a spell under the conditional arrangement, the contract is rejected by Major League Baseball and Paniaqua is suspended because of fraudulent paperwork regarding his age and identity;

-While he’s in paperwork/suspension limbo, Paniaqua fills out and adds 5-6 m.p.h. to his fastball;

-Because of the voided deal, he becomes a free agent after his paperwork is cleared up, the Yankees sign him for $1.1 million.

First, even if we all agree that ignoring the international market is a very questionable strategy, the more things like this come out the more sense it makes that a team simply would not want to get involved.

Second, the Diamondbacks should be PISSED OFF right now.

[Pedro Cerrano]

At the very least the DBacks should have the exclusive right to negotiate with him or something.