MLB investigating Red Sox for international signings
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Major League Baseball is investigating the Boston Red Sox for a series of international signings from 2015, reports Baseball America.
According to the report, the investigation is centered on the signings of a group of Venezuelan players from the same trainers to “package deals,” which circumvent the league’s restrictions on international bonus pools. The investigation has thus far involved MLB’s questioning of prospects as young as 16. Some of those questioned admitted to signing as part of the “package deal.”
“They put a lot of pressure on them, like they were criminals,” a source told Baseball America. “They’re trying to put pressure on the kids to talk to them.”
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MLB has restrictions against signing players subject to the international bonus pools for more than $300,000. Last year, Boston violated that rule with their international signings.
According to MLB rules, “package deals” are not explicitly outlawed.
