Marlins' Oviedo Will Miss 2013 Season

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo Will Arrive In USA Monday, Report To Marlins Camp

The Miami Marlins used to be the Florida Marlins.

The Florida Marlins had a closer named Leo Nunez. Now he’s Juan Carlos Oviedo! Same thing, right?

Not exactly. You already know the story about Oviedo’s identity theft; he was arrested for doing so in his home country, the Dominican Republic, but eventually worked out a deal and has since been trying to get a visa to return to the USA to pitch for the Miami Marlins.

That’s now been done. Clark Spencer:

Juan Carlos Oviedo received his U.S. visa on Friday and told reporters in the Dominican Republic that he plans to arrive Monday at the Marlins’ minor league facility in Jupiter. Oviedo said he decided to wait to Monday to travel because Sunday is Mother’s Day in the Dominican Republic.

“I’m very happy to get the U.S. visa this morning,” Oviedo told Listin Diario newspaper. “I decided to leave on Monday to be in Jupiter becasue I wish to be with my mother on Mother’s Day.”

Jupiter? Two whole planets away?

Oh, Jupiter, FLORIDA. This is so confusing.

Oviedo can work out and get in pitching shape, but he will still have to serve an eight-week suspension handed down by MLB before he returns to game action. That won’t be until after the All-Star break.

For more on the Marlins, please visit FishStripes.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo Receives Visa To Return To USA, According To Report

When last we left the Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) saga, it had been announced at the beginning of May that MLB was going to increase his suspension from six to eight weeks, whenever he returned to the USA.

That could happen soon. Manny Navarro:

Juan Carlos Oviedo, the relief pitcher for the Marlins formerly known as Leo Nunez, received his visa Wednesday to return to the United States according to a published report in El Caribe.

Although Oviedo can return to the U.S. it doesn’t mean he can pitch right away. He still has to serve an eight week suspension laid down by Major League Baseball.

Oviedo/Nunez is probably not in shape to pitch in Major League Baseball games anyway, so he’d likely take most of that eight weeks simply to get in shape. Navarro says the Marlins are likely to use him as a setup man for closer Heath Bell.

Oviedo/Nunez has a $6 million deal for this year, but he won’t be paid while under suspension. It doesn’t seem as if we’ll see him in a Marlins uniform until after the All-Star break, if then.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo Suspended For 8 Weeks

It wasn't a great winter for Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly Leo Nunez), who was arrested in the Dominican Republic for using a false identity and lost his job to free-agent signing Heath Bell. If there's a silver lining, it's that Bell has been terrible, quickly melting into a puddle of goo with each appearance. Hurry, Juan Carlos! The job is yours for the taking, right?

Not so fast. From the Miami Herald:

Major League Baseball, which privately informed involved parties last month that it planned to give Oviedo a six-week suspension upon his return to the United States, has changed plans and decided to make the ban eight weeks, according to an MLB source.

The poet in me likes to think that there was a big meeting, and Oviedo was acting like Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club, which gave Bud Selig a chance to unleash his inner Principal Vernon. "Fine. Seven weeks. Okay, smart guy. Eight weeks."

The truth is a little more boring. Because Oviedo missed spring training with visa issues, MLB tacked on an additional two weeks to compensate. During the suspension, Oviedo will be allowed to get ready for the season in extended spring training.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) Likely To Be Suspended Upon Return To Marlins

Juan Carlos Oviedo, nee Leo Nunez, hasn't shown up in Miami Marlins camp yet this year because of visa issues. Turns out the United States government frowns upon borrowing someone else's identity and pretending you're someone you're not. But from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, we have worse news for Oviedo:

Even when he’s finally able to resolve his visa issues, more bad news awaits Oviedo when he returns to the United States. According to a source, Major League Baseball intends to suspend him for six weeks after his removal from MLB’s restricted list. Several people already have been informed of the suspension.

I had a girlfriend put a relationship on hold for a while in college because she said she needed to "Find out just who she is." This must be exactly like that!

Still, a six-week suspension isn't exactly prohibitive, and there's a chance that Oviedo can return to be the Marlins' setup man by this summer, if not late in the spring.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo Will Not Report To Marlins Camp

Juan Carlos Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, signed to pitch for the Marlins for $6 million in 2012, despite the controversy about his false identity.

In the Miami Herald, Clark Spencer reports that Oviedo will not report on time to Marlins spring training:

The pitcher formerly known as Leo Nunez remains in the Dominican Republic as he continues to seek legal clearance to return to the U.S. The Marlins aren’t sure when Oviedo, who is on their restricted list and doesn’t count toward the 40-man roster, will be given the green light. But team preident David Samson said last month that it is more likely than not that Oviedo will not be on the Opening Day roster.

Spencer goes on to say that MLB might still take disciplinary action against Oviedo if and when he does return. It’s not clear whether placement on this list allows Oviedo to be paid or not.

The Marlins have plenty of bullpen candidates for open spots including Jose Ceda, Chris Hatcher, Sandy Rosario, Evan Reed, and Chad Gaudin (a non-roster invitee), so they might not even miss Oviedo’s presence.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Dominican Players Using False Identities Could Be Pardoned

There's Leo Nunez, who's actually Juan Carlos Oviedo. There's Fausto Carmona, who's actually Roberto Hernandez Heredia. These are not the only two Dominican baseball players to have used fake identities; these are the latest two Dominican baseball players to have used fake identities. At least, they're the latest two Dominican baseball players to have been caught using fake identities.

As you can imagine, when someone is caught using a fake identity, his life becomes an awful lot more complicated. But there's a possibility that this situation could henceforth be a little less complicated. From Dominican Today:

The U.S. State Department could pardon the Dominican baseball players caught with a false identity, said that country's Consul general William Weissman on Tuesday.

"I cannot speak of a particular case because each case is different, but in the case of the ballplayers they could be pardoned," the diplomat said during a cocktail hosted by the U.S. embassy for the Dominican baseball player to promote the program "Alliance for Dominican Development."

The US is always pardoning that turkey. It's always pardoning that damn turkey without even taking into consideration what the turkey might have done. The US could begin pardoning Dominican baseball players who have lied to the government.

Or it could not. It's just a possibility. Weissman draws a distinction between players who own up to their crimes, and players who end up getting caught. Nunez and Carmona, of course, were caught. So.

Dominican players don't adopt fake identities for sinister reasons. They adopt fake identities so as to improve their stock within scouting circles. Maybe that is sinister - it kind of depends on your definition of sinister - but these aren't murderers or drug dealers or generally bad people. They're just people looking to get a shot at a comfortable life. Which isn't to excuse the practice of adopting a fake identity, but it's certainly understandable.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) Gets One Year, $6 Million From Miami Marlins

Arbitration cases are generally the least interesting things in the world, like other people's dreams, listening to someone describe why you're a bad person for not watching The Wire yet, and the NBA. But every once in a while, an arbitration case comes along that is genuinely fascinating. Unfortunately, we aren't going to see the entire process, as the arbitration case was avoided. From Joe Capozzi:

Juan Carlos Oviedo, formerly Leo Nunez, agrees to $6 million deal with #Marlins, avoiding arbitration

This was a pitcher who would have entered the arbitration hearing as a totally different person!

Agent: My client had 36 saves last year, which ...

Marlins: No he didn't.

Agent: Stop that. You've already been warned.

Marlins: Our closer last year was Leo Nunez. Your client is Juan Carlos Oviedo. Totally different people! Watch this: Hey, Leo!

Oviedo: Yes?

Marlins: Well, okay, fine, but he was supposed to ignore that because he has a different name now.

Breakdancing Marlins Lawyer Wearing a Teal-and-Pink Leisure Suit with Dozens of Lit Sparklers Jutting Out From His Butt and Ears and Face and Butt: Am I on? Is it time?

I'd watch at least six episodes of that show, in case there's someone from VH1 reading. But in the real world, Oviedo née Nunez is going to be paid $6 million to set up Heath Bell, which seems like an awful lot of money. Oviedo née Nunez didn't have an especially good year in 2011, allowing eight home runs with a 4.06 ERA and below-average strikeout rate.

This is Oviedo née Nunez's last year of arbitration, and he will be a free agent after this season. For this season, though, he'll be one of baseball's most expensive setup men.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) Not Facing Charges, Again

Some while back, Marlins closer Leo Nunez was found out to be Juan Carlos Oviedo, having used falsified documents to secure a player contract. This was kind of a big deal, and Oviedo flew home to the Dominican Republic, where he cooperated with the ongoing investigation. Because he was so cooperative, it was determined that he wouldn't face charges.

Then, Thursday, reports emerged that Oviedo had been arrested. Was his case taking a turn? Could Oviedo face significant discipline after all?

Turns out, no. That was easy. AP:

Miami Marlins reliever Leo Nunez was arrested Thursday in his native Dominican Republic but then quickly released, with authorities saying he will not face charges stemming from an investigation into his use of false documents to sign a professional baseball contract.

Welp, so much for that. Oviedo is very much still not facing charges. He's currently trying to get a new visa so he can come back to the United States, but whether he's still a Marlin if and when he does has yet to be determined. The Marlins have already signed a free agent closer, and have until next week to decide whether to tender Oviedo a contract. They probably will.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) Arrested In Dominican Republic

About two months ago, Marlins closer Leo Nunez admitted he had falsified his name and age. He’s really Juan Carlos Oviedo. Shortly afterward, it was announced that there would be no criminal charges against Nunez/Oviedo in his home country, the Dominican Republic.

That is no longer true, as of Thursday morning; this Spanish-language article indicates that Oviedo has been arrested. Loosely translated by Google Translate:

Reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo was arrested Thursday by Dominican authorities for using a false identity, the Dominican National Police reported the AP.

Colonel Maximo Aybar Baez said that Oviedo was arrested at the U.S. Consulate in Santo Domingo.

The Marlins have already signed a replacement closer, Heath Bell, so their previously announced plan to tender him a 2012 contract could be on hold.

The official MLB deadline to tender contracts to players for the 2012 season is next Monday, Dec. 12, so we should find out about this soon.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 1 comment

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Leo Nunez - Or Juan Carlos Oviedo - Will Not Face Charges In Dominican Republic

It was last week that Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez returned to his native Dominican Republic and admitted that he had been playing under an assumed name and age. Nunez, 28, is actually Juan Carlos Oviedo, 29. The Marlins placed Oviedo on the restricted list and suspended him, and it then became a matter of seeing how the various governing bodies would respond.

Tuesday, we have word on how the Dominican government will respond: according to Juan C. Rodriguez, Oviedo will not face charges.

Central Electoral Commissions President Roberto Rosario has indicated Juan Carlos Oviedo, formerly Marlins closer Leo Nunez, will not face criminal charges in his native Dominican Republic for assuming a false identity more than a decade ago.

Oviedo is getting credit for being forthcoming and cooperative. The man who allegedly supplied him with falsified documents, meanwhile, was arrested last week and likely will face charges.

It's unknown at this point whether the US government will choose to act, and whether Major League Baseball will discipline Oviedo. It is expected that he'll be able to resume his playing career next season after a few issues are worked out.

If you're wondering why Oviedo suddenly came forth with his true identity after playing under another name for more than a decade, I'll give the floor to the Fish Bytes blog:

But, earlier this year, when Oviedo was at home in the Dominican Republic and preparing to head to Jupiter for the start of spring training with the Marlins, his dying father's final request was for him to come clean and regain his true identity.

Oviedo assumed the name of an old friend and changed his age to look more appealing to American scouts. That's usually the story.

• over 1 year ago
• Update
• 1 comment

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Leo Nunez Admits To Using False Documents

The Florida Marlins had placed closer Leo Nunez on the restricted list. Late Thursday, word got out why - Nunez was returning to the Dominican Republic amid suspicion that he was playing under an assumed name, with an assumed age. One source said that his actual name is Juan Carlos Oviedo, and that he's 29 years old, rather than the listed 28.

Friday, Nunez has given confirmation. Not of the second stuff, but of the first stuff. ESPN:

Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez admitted Friday to using fake documents and a fake ID to sign a professional contract more than a year ago.

Central Electoral Commission President Roberto Rosario said at a press conference that Nunez signed a sworn statement saying he is not the person identified in official documents.

So we don't yet know for sure that Nunez, 28 is actually Oviedo, 29, but we do know for sure that Nunez, 28 is somebody else. And probably Oviedo, 29. That would be a weird thing for the source to lie about.

A man by the name of Hector Pena Diaz has been arrested for allegedly falsifying Nunez's documents, and while we don't know anything about Diaz himself, it stands to reason Nunez didn't do this on his own. It's a not uncommon practice for Dominican baseball players to lie to make themselves younger, thereby making themselves more appealing to American scouts. Nunez first signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in 2000.

The likelihood is that this will all be resolved before too much time passes, and Nunez will return to Major League Baseball in 2012 under another name. But one can never predict what complications might arise.