The Yankees Have Dominican Issues, Too

Well, for all the abuse the Nationals have been taking lately, it's good to know that in at least one of the departments of dysfunction they suddenly have good company. It turns out the latest team to be victimized by a fraudulent Dominican identity is the Yankees, who were given the run-around by a shortstop prospect signed about a month ago.

According to Sports Illustrated's Melissa Segura, Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations concluded that 16-year old Damian Arredondo was neither 16 years old, nor named Damian Arredondo. League rules stipulate that Arredondo's contract be voided, which means that the Yankees won't lose the $850,000 they invested in the young infielder.

There's no open source video of Arredondo (though there is this YouTube clip of a 12-month old named Damian Arredondo playing the guitar, which is pretty cute), though Segura sites scouting reports that claimed the Yankees were high on the player's speed (6.4-second 60-yard dash) and a cannon of a right arm. He's also a switch hitter, which never hurts.

Because his deal with the Yankees was voided, Arredondo will be free to sign with any major league team next year, though he now must wait a full 12 months before being eligible for a new contract, under his legal name. Now, who thinks the Yankees might try to sign him 12 months from now just to show Major League Baseball who's boss ...