Fausto Carmona may not be who we thought he was - ScarletBuckeye

Killer Nut91 · 01-19-2012, 04:08 PM

Fausto Carmona arrested in Dominican Republic for using false identity | HardballTalk

Actually very surprised by this

Arapahoe · 01-19-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Jorge Arangure of ESPN.com passes along word from reporter Yancen Pujols that Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic and is being charged with using a false identity.

According to Pujols, Dominican police arrested Carmona–whose real name is apparently Roberto Hernandez Heredia–while he was leaving the American consulate after renewing his visa.

Last month Marlins reliever Leo Nunez was arrested in the Dominican Republic when it was discovered that his real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo.

Oviedo was later released from jail and the incident didn’t stop the Marlins from tendering him a contract and signing him for $6 million to avoid arbitration, so based on how that played out Carmona/Heredia may not be in serious trouble either. However, he may struggle to get a visa in time for spring training.

Carmona/Heredia finished fourth in the Cy Young award voting in 2007, going 19-6 with a 3.06 ERA in 215 innings as a 23-year-old rookie, although now perhaps he wasn’t actually 23 and since then he has a 5.01 ERA in 645 innings. Back in October the Indians exercised their $7 million option on Carmona/Heredia despite his 5.25 ERA in 32 starts last season.

UPDATE: Dionisio Soldevilla of the Associated Press reports that Carmona/Heredia is actually 31 years old, not 28 as everyone believed. That means his standout rookie season came at age 26 and could give the Indians a way to void his contract.

His age is kinda shocking if true

McKraut · 01-19-2012, 07:33 PM

I say they should just cut him loose at this point, he fraudulently entered into the contract and he hasn't produced consistent results... let him go and save some cap room to go after better talent on the mound.

OSUBasketballJunkie · 01-19-2012, 07:41 PM

SanDiegoBuckeye · 01-19-2012, 08:02 PM

As someone who has worked in professional baseball and is returning to professional baseball this season, I can say that this happens a lot more often than you think. There has even been rumors that Albert Pujols isn't really Albert Pujols.

McKraut · 01-19-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoBuckeye

As someone who has worked in professional baseball and is returning to professional baseball this season, I can say that this happens a lot more often than you think. There has even been rumors that Albert Pujols isn't really Albert Pujols.

It isn't too surprising, but teams have a legal liability in these circumstances if they sponsor the work visas for these guys to come up here and play. It's the kind of thing that will only go away when someone draws the line in the sand on it. I say, let him go.

SanDiegoBuckeye · 01-19-2012, 08:49 PM

A lot of these teams know these guys aren't really who they are or not the age they list on the bogus birth certificate they provide. The teams don't care as long as the guy produces and makes the orginization money.

Most Dominicans, Venezuelans and Cubans aren't the age they say they are and obviously the person they say they are. Puerto Ricans are who they say they are and their age is correct b/c PR is a US territory and provide legit documents.

OSUBasketballJunkie · 01-20-2012, 03:03 PM

espn.com

Quote:

Fausto Carmona released on bail
Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- The Cleveland Indians pitcher known as Fausto Carmona made a tearful apology Friday as he was released following his arrest for allegedly using a false identity to play baseball in the U.S.

"I ask for the forgiveness of my fans, the government of the United States and the Cleveland Indians for this situation," he said upon leaving the court, where a judge released him on bail of about $13,000.

Police arrested him Thursday outside the U.S. consulate in his native Dominican Republic when he arrived to get his visa renewed. Spokesman Maximo Baez Aybar said the athlete's real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and that he is 31, three years older than he had claimed.

YSUBrutus · 01-29-2012, 09:54 PM

Indians put him on the reserve list, which i believe means he wont play this year or get paid his 7 Mil bonus he just got

but then again, he might not even get a new VISA That he needs to get back into the US