Maybe the Nats Should Start Carding Players

Several news outlets are reporting that Nationals shortstop prospect Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez, whom the team signed for a $1.4 million bonus (a franchise record for an international signing), apparently lied about his name and age to the organization. "Smiley" is actually Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, and a Major League Baseball investigation revealed he was 19, not 16, as the Nats thought when they signed him in 2006.

"I'm angry. I'm very angry. We've been defrauded," the AP quoted Nats president Stan Kasten. "This is going to have serious repercussions…I have people examining all possible avenues of recourse, with regards to any legal and financial concerns."

"Smiley" put up a good performance in a rookie baseball league during the 2008 season and walked away with the league MVP award. But, as one scout told SI.com, "You should be hitting that well if you're that much older than your competition."

Kasten says he isn't sure yet how this will affect the now (apparently washed up) 23-year-old's career with the team. But we're thinking at least the nickname will get a makeover. Too bad A-Fraud is already taken.