Well, this is an absolutely wild story mixing the worst of two worlds.
A San Diego Padres prospect Humberto Cruz, the team's fourth highest rated up-and-comer, pled guilty to a money charge related to a human smuggling case in which he was implicated.
He's leaving the United States and headed back to Mexico.
Here's the New York Post:
The Padres' understanding is that Cruz would lose his work visa for 10 years, but could reapply after five years of good behavior, the Union-Tribune reported.
Prosecutors had been seeking a felony charge for Cruz, whom the Padres signed in 2024 for a $750,000 bonus.
This story happened to take place while Cruz was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. I guess we all have different ways to rest and rehab.
He was reportedly arrested in October near an Arizona border town, when cops suspected him of transporting illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a 2020 BMW SUV.
According to the Union-Tribune, Cruz waived his Miranda rights and said to agents that he knew the people he was transporting were illegal, and that he expected to be paid $1,000 for every individual he picked up.
Well, he was either entirely cooperative or entirely dumb to admit his illegal activity to the cops.
His cooperation probably helped him avoid the felony human smuggling charge and only get a slap on the wrist for taking the money.
Cruz seemed pretty humble in his statement to the team and fans:
'To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,' he began in a statement released through the team.
'I understand that my actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization. I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us.'
We'll see, maybe in five years he'll be eligible to return to the United States and get his big league contract.
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