You have to wonder why these "prospects" and their families think that the truth will never come out.
- Thread starter keepcoming
- Start date
Happens again
It is also kind of a shame that the MLB thinks being 19 yrs old is too old for signing and/or a bonus of this type. I think this is part of the reason that this happens. The system (to sign contracts) for international players is not on same level as it is in the US.
Nothing new here.
This has happened countless times.
Poverty and greed drive the business;
Se caen preacuerdos de millones con prospectos por documentación falsa
Jugadores alteraron edad hasta en seis años
www.diariolibre.com
Poverty, greed, yes, I agree. But I also see it as an opportunity for the MLB to look at the signing process of international players. In the US being 19 yrs old or above is the norm (college signings). But in the DR those opportunities are just not there as much (or if at all) for players older than say 16 yrs old for example (signing age). Is it right to falsify birthdates, names, etc...no, not at all. I put a lot of blame on the "entrenadors". They push the idea (changing birthdates, names, etc) to the families saying that this is the only way, knowing they are going to get a cut of the bonus money. In the DR where nothing stays a secret for too long, the truth eventually is discovered, everyone then loses. There is so much more to this issue than people realize.
It is 18 to sign an MLB contract in the US, but many in the US are informally negotiated/discussed at an earlier age and are officially signed at 18
Changing the International rules will likely do little to curb the age fraud. That is not the answer......
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
"Eligible international prospects are not permitted to sign with major-league organizations until they are 16."
I disagree 100% that changing the rules would not curb age fraud. With family members who are and were front office with the MLB it has long been discussed that the MLB needs to change the rules, and one of the reasons is the age/name fraud. It opens up more opportunities. If you look closer at the issue you will see the MLB leans toward changing the international rules, draft, etc...whereas the MLBPA leans toward no change. It has always been felt it would be the way to regulate the process, cut down on the corruption which seems to stem from "early deals". But most of the issue is that the MLBPA is against the idea. Let's see what happens after 2026 season when the CBA expires.
I disagree 100% that changing the rules would not curb age fraud. With family members who are and were front office with the MLB it has long been discussed that the MLB needs to change the rules, and one of the reasons is the age/name fraud. It opens up more opportunities. If you look closer at the issue you will see the MLB leans toward changing the international rules, draft, etc...whereas the MLBPA leans toward no change. It has always been felt it would be the way to regulate the process, cut down on the corruption which seems to stem from "early deals". But most of the issue is that the MLBPA is against the idea. Let's see what happens after 2026 season when the CBA expires.
These are the official rules. Not everyone is used to follow the rules.
Who is eligible?
There are guidelines for signing prospects. An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year -- in practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible in the current signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible to sign.
Who is eligible?
There are guidelines for signing prospects. An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year -- in practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible in the current signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible to sign.