Deciding on Sano
Major League Baseball investigators reportedly are trying to determine whether Dominican shortstop prospect Miguel Angel Sano might have altered his age.
You can check the story here.
Sano is listed as 16, but a more important number could involve the dollars that he's seeking as a signing bonus. I've heard them range from $4 to $6 million.
The Orioles have been scouting Sano in the Dominican. The Sun wrote about the club's plans to attend a three-day workout later this month. But there's the rub - it's just a workout.
I'm hearing that the Orioles are hesitant to throw money at the kid - and we'll assume that he still qualifies as one, no matter his age - without seeing him play a single inning. It's one thing to take batting practice and field ground balls. If you're looking to sign somebody for pre-game workouts, go for it. But how would he handle actual game conditions?
Perhaps flawlessly. He's being compared to the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez. But he's quite the mystery. An intriguing one, to say the least, but still a mystery.
The Pirates and Twins were deemed the favorites to sign Sano, but the Cardinals have crept into the picture, and some insideres view them as the frontrunners. I'd be very surprised if the Orioles move to the head of the class.
Meanwhile, to the reader who asked how the Orioles traveled to Philadelphia: They took a bus.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch
They traveled by bus, so do you think they left this morning?
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That's my assumption. - Roch
Your link is a bit weird Roch. Takes you first through a facebook notification that you're leaving the site then onto the Insider article:
Miguel Angel Sano's age questions
Friday, June 19, 2009 | Print Entry
Posted by Jorge Arangure Jr.
Major League Baseball investigators are looking into irregularities as to whether Dominican shortstop prospect Miguel Angel Sano might have altered his age, according to two sources close to the situation.
During MLB's age investigation, which was ordered by the Minnesota Twins, investigators found that Sano's mother had a child, born after Sano, that had died at birth. Investigators are trying to determine whether Sano used that child's identity in order to appear younger.
Sano, considered the top amateur player in Latin American by many teams, has told teams he is 16 years old.
Rob Plummer, Sano's agent, declined to comment.
MLB has ordered a DNA test in order to prove whether Sano is truly related to the woman he claims to be his mother.
"I can only tell you the investigation is not complete," wrote Lou Melendez, MLB's vice president of international operations, in an e-mail.
MLB will have a difficult time proving any wrongdoing. Since the child in question died at birth, it's unlikely he was issued any type of birth certificate or registration. In the Dominican Republic, parents have to "declare" their children, meaning they would have to personally go to a government office to register their children to receive paperwork. So if there is no paperwork, then it's not likely Sano would be able to alter his age by taking his deceased's brother's identity.
Regardless, MLB has put the burden of proof on the player to prove he is who he says he is and not for MLB to prove any wrongdoing. So it might not be necessary for MLB to find any proof. They may simply determine there are enough irregularities to merit suspension. A player caught lying about his age is subject to a one-year suspension.
Rumors about Sano's have circled the Dominican Republic because of his advanced body type, but nothing has been proven against him.
Regardless, teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Twins, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have been linked to him. According to a baseball source, it appears Sano will sign with either the Pirates or Twins as long as MLB does not suspend him. A long investigation may delay Sano's signing past the July 2 signing date.
Doesn't everybody in baseball alter their age? Give the kid the money. We need to start doing better in the DR.
Roch, have you heard anything as to when Hobgood will sign? I'm glad Snyder moved up. Hope Billy Rowell comes along
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Last week of June, but hard to nail exact date when he has to take physical. The Sun reported June 27. I was told that was a "good guess" and should be right around there. - Roch
Roch I have a question, are all injured players aloud to join the team on the bench, we have seen Dennis on the bench but you said that Lou Montanez watched the game from the stands?
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That's because Lou was in town only to have his thumb examined. He's been back home because he isn't going to return before Sept. - Roch
Roch,
Is there any timeline as to when he'll sign?
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Only know that it can't happen until July 2. - Roch
Roch- I still see this as a risk worth taking. When you look at the lack of position prospects in our system....
Think about it, if there was a college SS that everyone was raving about saying he was Hanley Ramirez, and the O's drafted him with the 4th pick, they would spend 4-6 on a signing bonus now anyways.
Its basically like paying for a 1st round pick.
Obviously, we are assuming the O's have the money to sign him. Remember, I still say they have to keep plenty of money to be able to sign our youngsters long-term.
With all the money the O's are saving this year and next, and last, and..... you would also assume they do have the finances to take a risk like this.
Love it! The O's don't want to sign one of the better prospects ever to come out of the D.R. because they're hesitant. Guess what Andy...all prospects are a roll of the dice. There is no point wasting time and money scouting down there if you're not going to jump on the studs when they pop up. This is ridiculous...a team like the O's absolutely needs to take a chance on a guy like Sano. Andy's deliberate nature is great for making trades when he has the pieces someone really needs, but it's terrible for free agent signings. Talk about a one trick pony. Now let's get that lineup posted Trembley...I need to know whether or not Melvin ".330 SLG%" Mora is going to be in the 5 hole tonight!
a kid from the Dominican who might not be the age he claims?? shocking...
Today's lineup projection vs. LHP Bastardo
Roberts-2B
Markakis-RF
Jones-CF
Huff-1B
Mora-3B
Wigginton-DH
Reimold-LF
Wieters-C
Andino-SS
Roch
Also, did you, or anyone else realize, that huffs game winning hit was the same hit that Castillo caught his last at bat? The Crow is right, he says to keep hitting them hard and they will fall, it fell alright. :)
Ahhhh. Since DT was chiding Wieters, not Reimold, that was funnier and less worrisome both. Thanks for clearing it up. In the immortal words of Emily Latella - Oh. That's different. ... Never mind.
Jones10 there is no DH = No Wiggy
A Dominican player altering his age?
What a shock to the the system.
Is Sano even his real NAME?
He's was probably born a Mendoza, but that would carry a stigma.
Hey Jones10- Unless we want Wiggington pitching, I doubt he'll be the DH tonight. He'll get a start at 3rd though this series.
If ANYONE on this blog thinks the O's are going to spend 6 million on a "NON" college player....you need medication. There is NO way Andrew will spend that kind of money on the best prospects to come out of the DR in years.
Sorry just being honest. I will eat those words if he by chance did, but the bottom line is what matters to Andrew and Ole Pete. They are budget managers/owners. It doesn't make sense for them to spend that kind of money when they have enough smoke screens to get a couple more in the stands right now. Some of you forget, they are not in this to win games. They are not the Cubs, Red Sox or Yankees....they are in it to improve the profit loss statement.
How many examples do you need?
i'd love to see them sign this kid---of course, it isn't my money!!! Get a good looking shortstop they can develop. Even if he is like 18 who cares? If he has the ability scouts say he does, bring him in. The orioles are a better situation than the pirates
roch,
do the orioles have a turn back the clock night this year?
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Not sure about the promotion sked. I always suggest contacting the O's Buzz blog. Kate is all over this sort of thing. - Roch
2010 Baltimore Orioles
Matusz
Tillman
Bergesen
Arrieta
Guthrie
Roberts
Reimold
Markakis
Jones
Huff
Wieters
Scott
Mora
Izturis
Uehara
Bass or Albers
Sarfate
Ray or Perez
Baez
Johnson
Sherrill
Montanez or Pie
Zaun
Andino
Wigginton or Salazar
Top prospects
Hobgood
Snyder
Patton
Hernandez
Britton
Erbe
Joseph
Roch, I just recently saw that your a tennis player. Are you any good??? I didn't see you at Wimbledon for some reason? Were you sick? I don't understand...LOL
Roch, so what international signings are we making? You never hear about that. There was Koji, what else? I assume the idea is to sign prospects ready for the minors & developmental leagues & to bring them along. I guess we have a new DR facility, why no pics? What about our facility in Japan? Is this all hocus pocus?
Jones10, remember that there is no DH in National League Parks so sadly, the Orioles will have to play "short" in Philly and Florida.
Here is my lineup for today:
Roberts-2B
Jones-CF
Markakis-RF
Huff-1B
Mora or Wiggy-3B
Reimold-LF
Weiters-C
Andino-SS
Hill-LHP
How many aliases can one poster have? Anyone care to guess? I'll put out a six pack if you get it right.
If there's a 1 year suspension for lying about your age, why isn't Tejada sitting this year?
Good job Jones10. I don't know how the umpires at Citizens Bank Park are going to feel about the DH though.
The Greyhound to Philly must have been fun today. Why didn't they take the train?
nate said:
Doesn't everybody in baseball alter their age? Give the kid the money. We need to start doing better in the DR.
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You really think that? Based on what? Come on.
Ryan and KyleProBoller:
Andy is hesitant to spend $6M on a highly suspicious player, and that makes him a bad GM???
If someone claims to be 16 and tears up competition his "age", but turns out to be NINETEEN, how is he worth $6M? He could be the next Andy Morales! Oh wait... Or he could be the next Esmailyn Gonzalez! Oh, no. Well maybe Felix Perez??? Sigh...
If you believe this kid is the next Hanley Ramirez, I've got some nice land in south Florida I'd like to sell you.
Patience and deliberation is a QUALITY of Andy's, and why we don't make stupid decisions like throwing millions of dollars at a lying kid eager to get out of the DR on his athletic ability.
And it's also why Andy has rebuilt this franchise in only 2 years.
If Wieters plays tonight, does that mean he rests on Saturday? I plan to go to that game and am hoping to see him play.
Maybe Pie knows the kid, they should ask him what his age is.... it's a small Island. This could be the best thing Pie has done as an O to date, give us the poop on this phenom.
Kyle, maybe you could share all those tapes you have of Sano in game situations with the front office, or at least recount all the times you've seen him play to them.
Do you see the Andino at all as the future shortstop? He's looked pretty good to me.
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Too soon to anoint him, but he's made a good impression. - Roch
Roach, Look, just because Sano's favorite player and mentor happens to be Miguel Tejada doesn't mean everyone has to jump to conclusions, does it?
Antonio Bastardo. Hmm, wasn't he the villain in one of those Spaghetti Westerns, you know like in this iconic scene with Clint Eastwood. No wait, there are actually two bastardos in this scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0BrdMi-oyc&feature=related
Great move by Andrew and the warehouse spin doctors. Hype up the possibility of signing the kid, than back away from it after people take interest.
Talk about being self-defensive! We're interested! Oh wait, he might be a risk, no we're not interested.
So they have no interest in a highly rated prospect for a need position, but than Ole Joe goes out and drafts tubby the pitcher?
Well off to the pub..... gotta pour on the pints since Hill is pitching tonight. PAINFUL!
Our only glimmer of hope is that the Philly bullpen was overworked during the Toronto series. If Dave's boys can actually work a count or two and chase the starter by the 5th or 6th, we have a chance.......if Hill hasn't gotten shelled.
For the dude at the very top of the comment...Andrew, I believe
The Orioles left last night, the buses left about 10 to 20 minutes after the Mets took off...was kinda funny watching the Mets' buses getting around the Orioles' buses in the tunnel coming from around a corner.
Only reason I know this is because I was at the tunnel
I thought I had read where the youngster from the DR had had his bone matter tested and was between 16-17?? Like they counted the rings on his trunk and all. Is there a big difference if he is 16 or 19????
Did Trembley drive the bus?
Ever so slightly torn. Why? I want my team to win, and yet they are facing the pitcher with quite possibly my favorite name of all time. BAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSTAAAAAAAAAAAARDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Can't you just hear the 'GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALL' guy saying his name? Well I sure can. Just one voice among many...........
Andrew, you're wrong... the difference between Huff's two line drives was that the second one had "leadership" on it that magically guided it to the outfield grass.
Roch,
If they left by bus this morning, do you think they left before or after breakfast?
But seriously, I would pass on this kid too unless they can either confirm more of his background or his price tag becomes more reasonable. Why shell out that kind of dough for a mystery bag? Stick with the plan Andy, stick with the plan...
I don't know how you can throw $6 million at someone based on rumors and speculation.If they can't figure out his age,saw him and half and count the rings.I thought they had a test now that can tell someone age?
You would think that the O's knew more than just workout info about him with their new scouting and baseball academy there in the DR..strange happenings....they should not let him get away if he is compared to Hanley Ramirez.
I guess we will see what the actual baseball experts say about the guy and if he is worth the big contract. No offense to the bloggers on here but their opinion out of a website or newspaper don't carry alot of weight. Alot of hype for a teenager but we have all seen how that goes. As far as opinions on Hobgood's weight, I think that Fat CC is a pretty good pitcher for the spanks. I have faith that Stockstill will make the right decision on this guy.
~~the bottom line is what matters to Andrew and Ole Pete. They are budget managers/owners~~
SHOCKING!! The president, majority stockholder and CEO of a major entertainment company are paying attention to the bottom line?!? Say it aint so, Joe! Did you really think that the Orioles were a non profit, Jack? You are so cute when you try to talk big business with the grownups.
~~ They are not the Cubs, Red Sox or Yankees....they are in it to improve the profit loss statement~~
You give as examples three of the most profitable teams in baseball. Do you think that is an accident? That their owners dont watch the bottom line? They all have HUGE income streams from media deals that dwarf the income from MASN. The Yankees do not spend the most because Steinbrenner subsidizes them out of his piggy bank. They spend the most because their income stream is the largest. As for Tribune Corp not caring about the bottom line? Nice fantasy, pass that to someone else now, you have had too much.
~~How many examples do you need?~~
None. You proved long ago that you dont know what you are talking about. So does this mean you will stop giving us your usual multiple examples every week now?
Watching this blog has become like watching Roadrunner cartoons. I tune in to every episode because I cant wait to see how Jack . . . I mean . . . the coyote . . . blows himself up through his own cocksuredness. Anyone else think his girls team wears jerseys that say ACME on them??
Beep, Beep
-- I want the kid tested for every banned substance and possibly uranium and WMDs. In fact, everybody from the DR ought to be tested before we sign em. After Palmeiro, Tejada, Sosa, and a few others who trod the field in Baltimore, I don't trust the legitimacy of those players.
Drewdy - was that a serious question? You dont understand the difference between a 16 year old looking like Babe Ruth against other 16 year olds and a 19 year old looking like Babe Ruth against 16 year olds? So if I played against Jack's 12 year old girls and hit like Barry Bonds you would advocate the Birds sign me for $6M? You are new bestest friend! My big toe! I am guessing I missed something in your post.
Lucky, That coyote spoof was hilarious!! Beep Beep..LOL
panhandleman, a little racist, don't you think?
And Palmeiro isn't from the DR, he was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. I believe when he was six. Are you going to accuse Radhames Liz and Felix Pie of juicing too?
Roch,
I believe I read is the Sun article earlier this week that Sano had a bone test done which verified that he was 16. Do you know anything about this?
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I remember hearing about the test, but that's about it. From the ESPN the Mag story, sounds like there are still some doubts. - Roch
Typical Jack and typical Brummie. Jack knows this kid will be great despite never seeing him. Brummie is clueless about the media/team relationship. I would bet that Andy didnt call a press conference to announce the team is interested in the kid. I am sure some reporter/beat guy/blogger asked Andy if they were interested in him, Andy said yes, maybe he elaborated some by saying we are looking at him next week or we are waiting on the league's ruling on his age eligibility etc. The media then reports a simple story saying the O's are interested in the kid and taking a look at him and Brummy reads it as the Orioles hyping up the issue. Then when the same, or another source writes what the team said all along . . . we are interested but just looking at the whole situation . . . Brummy turns this into they have changed their minds or reeled the fans back in, when NOTHING has changed at all. This is why Jack and Beau Brummels are useless and frankly not credible. They manufacture negativity out of thin air. There is no possible way to spin this story negatively on the facts so they spin and distort beyond recognition and just think we dont recognize what they are doing. Silly wabbits, even kids can see through your trix!