Investigation reveals early MLB signing pacts exploit young Dominican baseball prospects

The short version

• Major League Baseball teams continue to arrange early handshake deals with underage Dominican prospects despite formal rules prohibiting agreements with players under 16.[ProPublica]
• Young athletes often forfeit substantial portions of their bonuses to independent trainers and outside moneylenders before officially signing.[ProPublica]
• Former baseball star David Ortiz reportedly used his influence with the players union to help defeat a reform package aimed at ending these early agreements.[ProPublica]
• Ortiz's lawyer stated that his opposition to the proposed league changes was not driven by personal interests, while MLB has not disciplined teams for early deals.[ProPublica]

Key facts

• The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed through an unofficial handshake deal to pay 14-year-old Belfi Rivera $1.8 million upon turning 16, skirting MLB rules barring signings under 16.[ProPublica]
• Trainer John Carmona received a $630,000 commission and moneylender Santo Caraballo took more than $950,000 from Rivera's promised $1.8 million bonus.[ProPublica]
• Retired player David Ortiz is the business partner of moneylender Santo Caraballo.[ProPublica]
• David Ortiz leveraged his influence in the players union to help stall league proposals intended to ban early agreements and curb moneylenders.[ProPublica]
• MLB has never issued a public penalty or warning to any franchise for arranging an early signing agreement.[ProPublica]
• Between 2012 and 2026, half of the more than 12,700 international rookies signed by MLB were born in the Dominican Republic.[ProPublica]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The Dominican Baseball FactoryProPublica