In late 2021, a 14-year-old Dominican baseball prospect named Belfi Rivera entered into a handshake agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks, promising him a $1.8 million bonus after his 16th birthday. This deal was brokered by his trainer, John Carmona, without the knowledge or consent of Belfi or his parents. Such arrangements violate Major League Baseball (MLB) rules, which prohibit teams from signing players under the age of 16. The Diamondbacks have not commented on the situation. Belfi was one of many young Dominican players who have been signed to early agreements by MLB teams. These deals, known as preacuerdos, are common in the Dominican Republic and often involve trainers who receive a significant share of the signing bonus. In Belfi’s case, his trainer received $630,000—35% of the bonus—while over $950,000 went to Santo Caraballo, a notorious moneylender. Caraballo’s business partner is David Ortiz, a former MLB player and national hero, who reportedly used his influence to block reforms aimed at curbing these exploitative practices. Over the past 14 years, the Dominican Republic has been the top source of international signings for MLB teams, accounting for more than half of all international rookies signed between 2012 and 2026. The country has produced numerous MLB stars, including legends like Juan Marichal, Pedro Martinez, and Manny Ramirez, as well as modern talents like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. However, the success of Dominican baseball has come at a cost. Critics argue that the system is exploitative, particularly for young players and their families. Trainers, who often serve as both surrogate parents and agents for the players, have described the system as broken and costly. The lack of regulation has allowed moneylenders like Caraballo to thrive, preying on undereducated parents who sign away portions of their sons’ future bonuses in exchange for loans with extremely high interest rates. MLB has acknowledged the need for reform, stating it is “long past time to reform” the Dominican baseball system. However, efforts to address the issue have been limited, with no public warnings or penalties issued to teams for making early deals. The players’ union has also recognized the industry’s troubles but described it as a “people issue, not a system issue.” Sports attorney Arturo J. Marcano has compared the Dominican baseball pipeline to human trafficking, stating the current industry is “a hundred times worse” than in the past. Despite widespread calls for change, the system continues to operate with minimal oversight, allowing figures like Caraballo to maintain a strong presence in the region.