So I’ve been asked what I think about the Biogenesis scandal, and what do I think will happen to Alex Rodriguez, Francisco Cervelli, and the rest of the players named in the scandal now that Biogenesis head honcho Tony Bosch is reportedly about to sing like a canary. Since you asked, here are my thoughts:
“One source familiar with the case said the commissioner’s office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is the players’ connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another.”
That is a real reach, given that the MLB Players’ Agreement clearly states that a first-time offense would be only 50 games. Using that logic, every player who denied being dirty and appealed a test would have had to have been suspended for 100 games for lying about it. MLB may try this, but they are not likely to win.
If A-Rod, Braun, et al are proven to have juiced, then they deserve to be punished. But forget about them getting 100-game suspensions.
2. Note to the media: Stop talking about how the Yankees really ought to give A-Rod the what-for and void his contract: We have been hearing this nonsense for months, and it will never happen. What part of “A-Rod has a guaranteed contract” do you all not understand? The New York Post’s Joel Sherman, who should know better, makes some noise about it today. And the Star-Ledger’s Steve Politi has a whole screed today talking about the Yankees’ voiding the contract, and that even if they are unsuccessful, this will be the end of his time in pinstripes. “His career in the Bronx, already in doubt because of his broken-down body, is over now.” Really, Steve? Have any evidence to back that up? I suppose the Yankees could release him tomorrow, and eat the 100+ million still owed him, but I strongly doubt that will happen.
3. PED suspensions happen the same time a player is on the DL: If A-Rod and Cervelli are suspended, they would conceivably serve that suspension at the same time they are on the disabled list (of course, Cervelli is supposed to be back within this month.) I wrote in 2010 about how ridiculous it was that a player like Edinson Volquez could be on the DL with Tommy John surgery, and not miss a game due to a 50-game PED suspension.
4. Be careful what you wish for: ESPN’s Ian O’Connor sez today that Rodriguez should get ahead of the story and “come clean” now. Imagine if A-Rod really did, and ratted out not just other players using, but Yankee team management being complicit in PED use? (Sorry, there are no innocents here — front offices and managers are content to look the other way, as long as they can reap the benefits of players juicing. Of course, the players take all the risks here — financial, legal, and health-wise.)
Anyhow, if you really want to get PEDs out of baseball, start with taking away wins and punishing managers and general managers, instead of just the players. If team front offices started suffering personal financial consequences from players juicing, they would be much better at policing their own teams.
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