Earlier this month the Yankees signed 16-year-old shortstop Damian Arredondo of the Dominican Republic for $850,000, but the deal has been voided because ... well, it turns out that he’s not a 16-year-old or even named Damian Arredondo.
Melissa Segura of SI.com reports that MLB’s “department of investigations” discovered the falsified information as part of their “increased efforts to deter identity fraud in Latin America.” Whoever he turns out to be, the person formerly known as Damian Arredondo won’t be allowed to sign with anyone for one year and could face criminal charges.
Gary Sanchez’s identity has reportedly been verified after the 16-year-old catcher from the Dominican Republic signed with the Yankees for $3 million, but MLB is apparently still investigating 16-year-old Miguel Angel Sano while multiple teams vie for the right to pay him upwards of $4 million.
