The Arizona Diamondbacks have found themselves in an absolutely bizarre situation.
The details here, all via SI reporter Jason Burke, are hard to believe.
The Diamondbacks want to sign right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden, formerly of the Oakland A's.
The mustachioed Mengden currently pitches for Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in Mexico.
Reportedly, Mengden actually signed a contract with Arizona earlier this week, but his Mexican team refused to give up his rights.
Because Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos refused to give up Mengden's rights, Major League Baseball made the Diamondbacks void the deal.
It appears the ground the Mexican team is standing on is a $100,000 buyout clause in Mengden's contract. The implication, although Burke doesn't specifically spell it out, is that the Diamondbacks tried to get Mengden without shelling out the $100K.
It seems Arizona could reach out again, pay the buyout, and get Mengden. But because their initial agreement was voided, maybe any other MLB team could do the same thing.
Mengden is 32 years old and had a 4.65 ERA in his time in MLB.
This season in hitter-friendly Mexico, he's 5-2 with a 4.42 ERA.
Will this deal ever get done? It's not clear at this point, but it's certainly odd.
MORE: Mets legend Yoenis Cespedes selling his insane mansion for $30 million