Latin American Stinkheap Just Grows Taller

Hey, Selena Roberts, wanna write a real book?

Go to Latin America, hike into the jungle, and pick up a rock. You'll find MLB scouts under it. You'll recognize them by the shiny scales. They'll scurry off in every direction. Don't worry. They're not interested in you. They're just searching for hot 16-year-old boys.

You see, MLB signs male pre-teens, often after they've been managed (owned) since puberty by the local pimp. Bud Selig will tell you that's just the local culture. Boys will be boys. Nothing to sweat... except for when some yahoo goes and sues.

Oops. Somebody sued. The former Yankee Dominican scout, who got bounced for allegedly skimming player bonuses, is suing us for wrongful termination. It's complicated. I won't bore you with details, but check out this line buried in the story:

"Soon after he was fired in August, (the fired scout, Ramon) Valdivia said an MLB arbiter ruled that he had to pay the Yankees back $24,000, his salary for 2008."

That's right. We paid the guy a whopping $24,000 a year.

Here, we have him doling a $1.1 million bonus to a 16-year-old... and he bankrolls a hefty $24,000.

Recipe for corruption? Does that sound a bit shady?

Anybody smell anything here? Bud? Selena? Class? Blogosphere?

Anybody?