Red Sox sign Simon Mercedes

[Station 13]

Red Sox Agree To Sign Dominican Prospect Mercedes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 16 at 12:36pm CST]

 

The Red Sox have agreed to sign Dominican right-hander Simon Mercedes to a deal including an $800K bonus, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. For the agreement to become official, Mercedes must pass MLB’s investigation into his age, identity and visa.

 

Mercedes formerly presented himself as two years younger and went by the name of Jeffrey Tapia, so he has a history of identity issues. He agreed to a $400K deal with the Giants last offseason, but the agreement disintegrated following an MLB investigation and he was declared ineligible to sign for one year. The ban expired Wednesday, meaning the 20-year-old was again eligible to sign.

 

The right-hander stands 6’4” and his fastball ranges from 92-96 mph. Scouts say he has an average to above-average breaking ball, Badler reports. He has the potential to start in the Major Leagues.

[Youk Of The Nation]

The potential headlines if he pitches badly are totally worth the signing.

[a700hitter]

Should we have home and away jerseys with is various identities.

[SoxSport]

The rumor I've heard is that he is Manny's illegitimate son.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

If the Red Sox threw in 5 grand more they would of got some nice Spinnin 22 inch Rims to go along with that Mercedes

[seabeachfred]

Sounds like this guy could eventually go into the pimp or drug business when his baseball days are over; sounds like we might have signed a guy with some serious hangups. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[onlybereaved]

[redsoxfan3]

It is good to see that we are signing a guy with past problems such as the identity issue. On a serious note, I am fine with this because of him having potential to start in the majors. Hopefully he does more good for us, instead of causing problems.

[RedSoxNC84]

Simon Mercedes doesn't sound like anyone's real name. At all.

[User Name]

Simon Mercedes doesn't sound like anyone's real name. At all.

 

Why?

 

Simon is a common name while Mercedes is a common last name in most spanish-speaking countries.

 

I bet if you looked in the phone guide of any spanish-speaking country, you'd find several people with that name.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

If the Red Sox threw in 5 grand more they would of got some nice Spinnin 22 inch Rims to go along with that Mercedes

 

i c wat u did thur