Report: A-Rod banned through 2014?

[crystalline]

Thoughts on incentives here:
 
The MLBPA seems to want obvious cheaters to be punished, perhaps because it's bad for the game and thus the membership if there's proof out there that players have used and they are not punished.  It remains to be seen if they want to stamp out steroid use; there have been quotes from anonymous players that they want a level playing field.  I'll believe that when rigorous testing is agreed on in collective bargaining. 
The MLBPA cannot want to see contracts voided, for any reason including steroid use.  It is definitively bad for their membership if contracts can be substantially reduced for PED use.  I would be shocked if the MLBPA does not fight a lifetime ban that effectively cancels one of the biggest contracts in the game.  Perhaps they might negotiate with Selig to have the money paid out in the face of a lifetime ban.  But voiding a contract is a line crossing I'd be surprised if they failed to contest.  I realize that the MLBPA seemed to acquiesce to Selig having wide powers, but the actual quotes don't say that. 

"In theory, [the players] could be suspended for five games or 500 games, and we could then choose to challenge that," Weiner said. "The commissioner's office is not bound by the scale we have in the basic agreement."
A provision in the drug-testing agreement gives the commissioner's office the latitude to announce suspensions before they are appealed if the cases are already public knowledge, but the union is expected to mount a challenge in the Biogenesis case.

They do say the union is expected to mount a challenge.  The above quote could be read as saying "Don't expect suspension lengths to be fixed at 50 or 100 games".
 
Selig is a virtual owner and works largely at the pleasure of the owners.  The Yankees would love to see the contract voided.  I don't have a good guess where the other owners fall: one factor may be if they want to see NY paying luxury tax or not.  On the one hand some teams get money in their pocket if NY is over the threshold.  On the other hand, teams may feel a sense of solidarity that (1) any reduced player salary is good for the owners collectively or (2) setting a precedent of reducing contracts could be good for the owners.  I think we can agree that Selig will do little against the will of the owners.

 

[ToeKneeArmAss]

This could turn out to be the Yankees' version of the Punto trade.
 
So hard to choose a side here - do I want A-Rod to beat the rap and take the field in pinstripes (to the detriment of both his team's performance and their financials)?  Yes.
 
And do I want his legacy to turn into our generation's "eight men out" all rolled into a single douchebag?  You bet.
 
I guess the other way to look at it is that it's a no-lose situation, right?

 

[StuckOnYouk]

I hate A-Rod but I hate the Yankees far far more. So what ever result ends up screwing the Yankees most is what I'll side with. Looks like I'm an A-Rod fan for now.

 

[Van Everyman]

I sense collusion between A-Rod and the Yankees to drag out the process and incur the suspension mostly during the season when the Yankees are trying to kill payroll for ulterior reasons.

They're getting away with it too. :angry:

These two parties can't collude on an Instagram post -- how is it possible they could be colluding on a $27M penalty? The sense I get is that the team has abandoned him and that ARod is completely stunned.

As for who I'm rooting for, to me, this is like rooting for Gingrich versus Santorum -- can't they both lose somehow?

 

[mauidano]

I sense collusion between A-Rod and the Yankees to drag out the process and incur the suspension mostly during the season when the Yankees are trying to kill payroll for ulterior reasons.
 
They're getting away with it too. :angry:

The timing with the "quad strain" could have not been better.  Don't you think A-Rod showing up to play in Texas on Monday simultaneously as the Braun suspension announcement was being made would have been disastrous for all concerned?  There were some phone calls being made late last week.  I'm sure A-Rod has really been told to STFU now.

 

[jon abbey]

These two parties can't collude on an Instagram post -- how is it possible they could be colluding on a $27M penalty? The sense I get is that the team has abandoned him and that ARod is completely stunned.
 

 
This is also what I think, FWIW. Let's not forget the people involved mostly aren't exactly Mensa members. 
 

 

[gaelgirl]

The MLBPA is going to fight HARD against any contract being voided. It's about more than just A-Rod and his huge contract. It's about protecting all their players from the whims of the owners. 
 
If the Yankees are able to void a contract due to a lifetime ban, there *could* be an argument made that teams are then given an incentive to find reasons to void other huge, horrible contracts (if possible). Players could be secretly investigated by their teams to ferret out any unsavory connections and the results of the investigation secretly turned over to MLB. Absent unsavory ties, evidence could be manufactured or the team could taint the athlete's food/water/medicine to create positive tests. Is any of that likely? Probably not. But if we're talking about $100+ million dollars, do you really think a ruthless owner wouldn't be above doing whatever he could to get out of spending that money? Even if it means destroying a person's career and reputation? 
 
Now, I do think that owners should have the ability to add a PED-related contract void clause, but that's a whole other issue. 
 
Also, if A-Rod wants to be an asshole (of course he does) and wants to collect his money, there may be a way he can do it. According to this article (http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/celebrity/alex-rodriguez-desperately-trying-to-retire-to-save-114-million-contract/), if A-Rod suits up for even one game this season, he can retire, saying he's not physically able to play anymore, and thus collect the entire amount. The way I read it, even if he is banned for life, if he is able to retire before he's suspended, he'll get the money. So the Yankees currently claiming he has an injury and A-Rod apparently claiming he does not may be more about this retirement thing than the Yankees not wanting to deal with the PR fallout of him playing. Interesting... Could he argue in court that the Yankees intentionally blocked him from returning and thus blocked him from collecting his salary? Would he win? 

 

[jon abbey]

I was hesitant to broach this, but I think it is relevant and I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet:
 
MLBPA seems to have a bit of a power vacuum at the top right now since the executive director, Michael Weiner, has inoperable brain cancer and is in a wheelchair with half his body paralyzed, and no successor has yet been named (there was a return of Donald Fehr rumor a few weeks ago which was later denied).
 
I'm sure that the MLBPA has been fully briefed on what seems like truckloads of evidence against A-Rod, and Weiner's public position so far has been to encourage players to cut deals as opposed to fighting tooth and nail for them. Of course, that may apply to Braun and the others, but it seems like there's a good chance that MLB may not allow A-Rod to do that and just go for the lifetime suspension. 

 

[YouLookAdopted]

I'm a bit struck by how, despite a public statement to the contrary, some people still think the union is going to put a bunch of energy into defending PED users. Buster Onley spent a good deal of time today talking about how other players have told him how badly they wanted Braun and other cheaters to get nailed. My impression of the sport is that the young guys who have come into the game over the last five years or so are the first generation in decades that have not experienced large numbers of their teammates using PEDs. This is the first group of guys who aren't passé about this stuff and they actually see it as cheating. They resent players like Braun and ARod. These are the guys going into free agency now and they are the ones the union are catering to.

 

[YouLookAdopted]

Also, the severity of ARod's punishment is not dependent on the number of times he's been caught. If you catch a serial killer and have evidence that he killed 20 people, you don't charge him with one murder just because he was only arrested once. You charge with all the crimes e committed. If The punishment for ARod's crimes amount to a lifetime ban, you better believe he's going to get it. They did it to Rose.

 

[gaelgirl]

I was hesitant to broach this, but I think it is relevant and I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet:
 
MLBPA seems to have a bit of a power vacuum at the top right now since the executive director, Michael Weiner, has inoperable brain cancer and is in a wheelchair with half his body paralyzed, and no successor has yet been named (there was a return of Donald Fehr rumor a few weeks ago which was later denied).
 
I'm sure that the MLBPA has been fully briefed on what seems like truckloads of evidence against A-Rod, and Weiner's public position so far has been to encourage players to cut deals as opposed to fighting tooth and nail for them. Of course, that may apply to Braun and the others, but it seems like there's a good chance that MLB may not allow A-Rod to do that and just go for the lifetime suspension. 

Tony Clark was named deputy executive director of the MLBPA just today. He would take over should Weiner be unable to perform his duties. Clark is an ex-player and has been with the union since he retired from baseball in 2009, and was very active in the union as a player. Here's more: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130723&content_id=54489038&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb So, that's covered. 
 
 

I'm a bit struck by how, despite a public statement to the contrary, some people still think the union is going to put a bunch of energy into defending PED users. Buster Onley spent a good deal of time today talking about how other players have told him how badly they wanted Braun and other cheaters to get nailed. My impression of the sport is that the young guys who have come into the game over the last five years or so are the first generation in decades that have not experienced large numbers of their teammates using PEDs. This is the first group of guys who aren't passé about this stuff and they actually see it as cheating. They resent players like Braun and ARod. These are the guys going into free agency now and they are the ones the union are catering to.

On the one hand, I agree with you. I think this current group of players is less tolerant of PED use than 10 years ago. I also think the union isn't particularly interested in being seen as the protector of the worst PED offenders. However, they do have to protect all their players' financial interests. If A-Rod is banned for life and loses his contract, that could have a ripple effect on other players. The union likely doesn't want owners to have the ability to void contracts in any circumstance because it could lead to them having the ability to void contracts in many circumstances. Really, though, I just don't want the Yankees to get out of a horrible contract because of a technicality. I want them burdened by that contract for as long as they committed to it. 

 

[Bernie Carbohydrate]

Tony Clark was named deputy executive director of the MLBPA just today. He would take over should Weiner be unable to perform his duties. Clark is an ex-player and has been with the union since he retired from baseball in 2009, and was very active in the union as a player. Here's more: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130723&content_id=54489038&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb So, that's covered. 

 
Year ago we learned that Tony Clark is incapable of any vigorous physical activity when he's involved in union work.  Poor Mrs. Clark is in for night after night of frustration. 

 

[Bob420]

This is correct.  But I think having to pull out of your girlfriend to pee might cross a line.  The testing methods are going to have to move on from urine and blood to tissue samples at some point if players continue the trend.

 
Lindsey Vonn had to give a sample on a surprise test at a fundraiser gala or something.  Had to immediately go in a stall in full dress/gown.  She was perfectly OK with it.

 

[Jaylach]

I've seen a lot of people saying banning ARod for life is a "slippery slope" and "bad" and "not going to happen". However, I've been asking myself the past day or so how this is any different from Pete Rose. Rose was banned for life because he bet on his team while he was on a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games.
 
Aren't players who use steroids in a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games? I don't think steroids are going to help ARod make contact with a ball, but are they going to turn a single into a double? Is that double going to score the winning run?
 
Am I off base on this? 

 

[Joe D Reid]

I've seen a lot of people saying banning ARod for life is a "slippery slope" and "bad" and "not going to happen". However, I've been asking myself the past day or so how this is any different from Pete Rose. Rose was banned for life because he bet on his team while he was on a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games.
 
Aren't players who use steroids in a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games? I don't think steroids are going to help ARod make contact with a ball, but are they going to turn a single into a double? Is that double going to score the winning run?
 
Am I off base on this? 

If it comes, the lifetime ban isn't going to be for PEDs, exactly. It's going to be for PEDs plus the destroying evidence/obstruction/failure to kowtow idea that some people have mentioned above. That's also the union's potential out. There is enough other weird stuff going on that they could allow a lifetime ban/voiding here but keep maintaining that punishment for nontesting PED use only can't void contracts. So if they want to cut him loose, they have wiggle room.
 
Also, I think we all felt in the 2004 ALCS that Tony Clark was going to bail out the Yankees. Looks like that's finally coming to pass.

 

[YouLookAdopted]

I've seen a lot of people saying banning ARod for life is a "slippery slope" and "bad" and "not going to happen". However, I've been asking myself the past day or so how this is any different from Pete Rose. Rose was banned for life because he bet on his team while he was on a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games.

Aren't players who use steroids in a position to "artificially" affect the outcome of games? I don't think steroids are going to help ARod make contact with a ball, but are they going to turn a single into a double? Is that double going to score the winning run?

Am I off base on this?


That is exactly how I see it. MLB wants to put an end to any activity that makes the fan ask, "Is this game rigged?". I believe that is the unofficial threshold a player has to pass to earn a lifetime ban.

 

[deanx0]

That is exactly how I see it. MLB wants to put an end to any activity that makes the fan ask, "Is this game rigged?". I believe that is the unofficial threshold a player has to pass to earn a lifetime ban.

 
They are apples and humpback whales. Using performance-enhancing substances is attempting to gain an edge and perform better--doing everything you can to win. Betting on baseball almost destroyed the game in its early years, leading to the signs posted in every clubhouse that betting on baseball would result in a 1-year ban and betting on your team would lead to a lifetime ban. Pete Rose was betting on the Reds while managing them. So on days he didn't bet on the team, was he sending a message that he didn't expect them to win? If he had a significant sum of money on the team, would he burn out a starter or reliever to win that specific game at the cost of long-term success? And most significantly, if he got in debt to the bookmakers, would he agree to throw a game or two in order to get right with them. This is why Pete Rose is banned for life from baseball and should never be reinstated. 
 
Using steroids, HGH, (or even greenies), is nowhere near the same issue. People that wonder if the game is rigged because a player used a banned substance to play better or recover faster aren't that bright.

 

[YouLookAdopted]

Using steroids, HGH, (or even greenies), is nowhere near the same issue. People that wonder if the game is rigged because a player used a banned substance to play better or recover faster aren't that bright.

Again, MLB may want to rid the game of activities that make the fan think the game is rigged. That's different than saying that the game is actually rigged. And there are obviously many degrees of involvement at play with PEDs. Andy Pettite using HGH to recover quickly from an injury is a far different situation from how Barry Bonds used steroids to complete alter his body. Also, a player who is found to be facilitating PED use for other players over several seasons might rise to the level if game rigging, especially if your testing data shows that the game is significantly cleaner than it was ten years ago.

All I'm saying is that if ARod's activities rise to that level, he's going to get the same punishment as Rose. We just don't know yet if that's the case.

 

[bankshot1]

If we believe there are currently negotiations going on, what would the respective bargaining positions be:
 
If MLB wants a lifetime ban, that would indicate no negotiating room,for ARod and he would naturally fight it and fight for a long time. He's got a lot at stake: salary, his endorsements, his reputation etc.  A lifetime ban is is not a bargaining position. If MLB wanted to ban him for life they could just announce it. As they haven't it seems to indicate they want to negotiate a setlement, and probably avoid costly litigation, and a case they could lose.   
 
So lets say the MLB understands that they will be entangled for years with a lifetime ARod ban, with an outcome that is uncertain. and that they could lose. So they go for a 2 year ban. For all intents and purposes, if ARod sits for 2 years, and comes back at 40 he's done. So maybe he thinks I'll take a 1 year hit (100-162 game suspension) and figure he might be able to fashion a come-back.
 
Just ballparking I figure he'll sit for a year. 

 

[Carmine Hose]

I'd be interested to find out how much the MFY are assisting MLB behind the scenes to investigate their own player.  The team itself would know more about his behavior over the last 10 years or so, moreso than the MLB league office.  There is a huge incentive to get out from the cash they would have to pay him and the penalty assocaited with having him on the payroll.
 
According to some reporters (e.g., Howard Unger on Yahoo), apparently salary that goes unpaid due to suspension does not count against the luxury tax payroll threshhold.  The MFY desperately want him suspended for a long while not only for the budget relief but to keep the stigmatized out of their uniform.

 

[Bob420]

Does salary that goes unpaid due to suspension lower the total value of the contract and slightly change AAV or does the entire amount come off that specific year(s)?

 

[Carmine Hose]

I would suspect that since the salary is measured by AAV, I believe, that if he were suspended for all of 2014, then $27.5 million (the AAV of the 10 year $275 million pact) would come off the tally, even if he was actually receiving cash in a different amount.  That essentially solves their luxury tax problem for a guy they no longer want.  Just an unreal blessing.

 

[phrenile]

Does salary that goes unpaid due to suspension lower the total value of the contract and slightly change AAV or does the entire amount come off that specific year(s)?

 
Looks like neither.

If he's serving a disciplinary suspension from the Commissioner, then he's still on the Club's Active List; and if he's on the Club's Active List, then his entire salary still counts towards the club's payroll for Competitive Balance Tax purposes.
 

(2) Rules for Allocation of Salary
(a) General Rule
If a Player remains on a Major League Clubs Active List (as
defined in Article XXI) for an entire championship season, then
all of the Salary attributable to the Contract Year in which that
championship season falls shall be allocated to the Clubs Actual
Club Payroll in that Contract Year.

(2) For purposes of calculating credited service, a Player will be
considered to be on a Clubs Active List if:
(a) placed on a disciplinary suspension by a Club, the Senior
Vice President, Standards and On-Field Operations or the Commissioner,
or on the Disabled List;

 

[Bob420]

OK.  Maybe I am not getting it but would that be all 27.5 million off the 2014 payroll or would that mean 275 million is reduced to 247.5 making the AAV 24.75 for 2014 instead of 27.5?

 

[The Gray Eagle]

I'd be interested to find out how much the MFY are assisting MLB behind the scenes to investigate their own player.  The team itself would know more about his behavior over the last 10 years or so, moreso than the MLB league office.  There is a huge incentive to get out from the cash they would have to pay him and the penalty assocaited with having him on the payroll.
 
According to some reporters (e.g., Howard Unger on Yahoo), apparently salary that goes unpaid due to suspension does not count against the luxury tax payroll threshhold.  The MFY desperately want him suspended for a long while not only for the budget relief but to keep the stigmatized out of their uniform.

 
Surely the owner of the New York Yankees would never hire a guy to dig up dirt on their own player? Inconceivable!

 

[bankshot1]

Or if ARod's 2014 salary of $25 million is deducted from the 10 year $275 million contract, the AAV for 10 years would be $25 million. And the suspended salary of $25 million could be spread over the 10 year life of the contract, thus yielding  a $2.5 million salary cap benefit, rather than accruing all in 1 year. 
 
edit: posted before I saw phreniles post.

 

[Lars The Wanderer]

Andy PettiTTe using HGH to recover quickly from an injury

 
Honest question: Do people still believe this?

 

[SaveBooFerriss]

If we believe there are currently negotiations going on, what would the respective bargaining positions be:
 
If MLB wants a lifetime ban, that would indicate no negotiating room,for ARod and he would naturally fight it and fight for a long time. He's got a lot at stake: salary, his endorsements, his reputation etc.  A lifetime ban is is not a bargaining position. If MLB wanted to ban him for life they could just announce it. As they haven't it seems to indicate they want to negotiate a setlement, and probably avoid costly litigation, and a case they could lose.   
 
So lets say the MLB understands that they will be entangled for years with a lifetime ARod ban, with an outcome that is uncertain. and that they could lose. So they go for a 2 year ban. For all intents and purposes, if ARod sits for 2 years, and comes back at 40 he's done. So maybe he thinks I'll take a 1 year hit (100-162 game suspension) and figure he might be able to fashion a come-back.
 
Just ballparking I figure he'll sit for a year. 

 
I concur.  I think it will be either 1 year starting on or about August 15 or all of 2013 and 2014.   I can't see a settlement that is more than that.  MLB is much better off with a Braun type settlement than a fight.  

 

[phrenile]

On the other hand, if they get to completely rip up his contract (instead of suspending him), they may be home free under the CBT:
 

(d) Termination of Contract
(i) If a Club terminates a Uniform Players Contract that covers
a single championship season, the Club shall include in its
Actual Club Payroll for the Contract Year in which that season
falls any Salary paid to that Player, either under this Agreement
or a Special Covenant to the Contract (subject to any offset called
for by this Agreement or a Special Covenant).
(ii) If a Club terminates a multi-year Uniform Players Contract
while it remains obligated to pay Salary under either this
Agreement or a Special Covenant to the Contract, Salary shall be
allocated to that Club for each Contract Year during which its
obligation continues. Salary shall be attributed to each such Contract
Year pursuant to this Article XXIII (subject to any offset
called for by this Agreement or a Special Covenant). This attribution
shall apply even if the Club pays the Salary in advance.

 
(Presumably the obligation to pay him doesn't continue in that instance.)

 

[Rovin Romine]

If we believe there are currently negotiations going on, what would the respective bargaining positions be:
 
If MLB wants a lifetime ban, that would indicate no negotiating room,for ARod and he would naturally fight it and fight for a long time. He's got a lot at stake: salary, his endorsements, his reputation etc.  A lifetime ban is is not a bargaining position. If MLB wanted to ban him for life they could just announce it. As they haven't it seems to indicate they want to negotiate a setlement, and probably avoid costly litigation, and a case they could lose.   
 
So lets say the MLB understands that they will be entangled for years with a lifetime ARod ban, with an outcome that is uncertain. and that they could lose. So they go for a 2 year ban. For all intents and purposes, if ARod sits for 2 years, and comes back at 40 he's done. So maybe he thinks I'll take a 1 year hit (100-162 game suspension) and figure he might be able to fashion a come-back.
 
Just ballparking I figure he'll sit for a year. 

 
I could see this.  
 
Don't forget though that there are other things on the table apart from the length of the ban.  MLB, depending on how it structures the punishment, might also impact A-Rod's contract.  Perhaps it's "Lifetime Ban with no Pay" v. "Confess, Retire, Get Paid" or something of the sort.
 
One has to think A-Rod will value: no admission of wrongdoing, playing, breaking records, earning money.  Probably also his endorsements. 
 
One has to think MLB will value: full confession, transparency, validation of their program, a significant penalty, and marginalizing A-Rod (including not having A-Rod's name associated with any major records.) 
 
There may be some room in there for an agreement. 

 

[bankshot1]

I could see this.  
 
Don't forget though that there are other things on the table apart from the length of the ban.  MLB, depending on how it structures the punishment, might also impact A-Rod's contract.  Perhaps it's "Lifetime Ban with no Pay" v. "Confess, Retire, Get Paid" or something of the sort.
 
One has to think A-Rod will value: no admission of wrongdoing, playing, breaking records, earning money.  Probably also his endorsements. 
 
One has to think MLB will value: full confession, transparency, validation of their program, a significant penalty, and marginalizing A-Rod (including not having A-Rod's name associated with any major records.) 
 
There may be some room in there for an agreement. 

A settlement makes sense for both sides.  
 
As to transparency MLB only wants selective transparency. Let's say ARod knows a lot about PEDs and users, and lets say that full transparency on his part (this could be a bargaining chip he could use) could entangle and embarass the Yankees, both players and the organization, or other teams. Theoretically he could adopt a scorched eartn policy if he thought he had nothing to lose. 
 
Both sides want to limit the financial impact on themselves, maybe salvage respective reputations, and go on playing to full houses, and increasing ratings, and cashing checks
.
IMO MLB is as complicit in this stuff as the players are, they prospered during the PED era.  
 
He takes a 1 year + suspension (longer than Braun) apologizes to MLB, the Yankees, and the fans for his mistakes which stemmed from the intense competitve pressures to excel, break records, and win,  so he's going to sit for a year, refflect on the errors of his ways, get fully healthy and come back to help the 2015 Yankees win the 2015 World Series.. 

 

[bozzs]

Surely the owner of the New York Yankees would never hire a guy to dig up dirt on their own player? Inconceivable!

I have heard it discussed elsewhere that Biogenisis was exposed by the yankees in an attempt to expose Arod, seems like a stretch and a little too conspiracy theory but hey thats a lot of money.

 

[Rovin Romine]

I have heard it discussed elsewhere that Biogenisis was exposed by the yankees in an attempt to expose Arod, seems like a stretch and a little too conspiracy theory but hey thats a lot of money.

 
The article that broke the story: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01-31/news/a-rod-and-doping-a-miami-clinic-supplies-drugs-to-sports-biggest-names/
 
Second article on the background of the story (i.e., who informed the New Times): http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-06-20/news/mlb-steroids-alex-rodriguez/

 

[bankshot1]

minutes ago, on WFAN (Francesa's show) an orthpedic doctor who has looked at ARod's MRI for the quad strain said, there is no evidence of a strain, and that he believes after consulting (but not examining) ARod, that Arod is 100% ready to play.  It seemed strange to me, for ARod to go public in this way (presumably this would be protected private medical information) and I wonder if its at all related to the other issues. . 

 

[bozzs]

The article that broke the story: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01-31/news/a-rod-and-doping-a-miami-clinic-supplies-drugs-to-sports-biggest-names/
 
Second article on the background of the story (i.e., who informed the New Times): http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-06-20/news/mlb-steroids-alex-rodriguez/

Pretty damning comment "The people running MLB are the biggest scumbags on Earth" that says alot

 

[Orel Miraculous]

Pretty damning comment "The people running MLB are the biggest scumbags on Earth" that says alot

 
Uhh, no it does not.  Not when the person who said did so only after MLB refused to pay him $1M for his records.

 

[glennhoffmania]

minutes ago, on WFAN (Francesa's show) an orthpedic doctor who has looked at ARod's MRI for the quad strain said, there is no evidence of a strain, and that he believes after consulting (but not examining) ARod, that Arod is 100% ready to play.  It seemed strange to me, for ARod to go public in this way (presumably this would be protected private medical information) and I wonder if its at all related to the other issues. . 

Yeah this is very weird.  The doctor can't disclose this stuff on his own as far as I know.  But what would ARod gain by having his doctor state publicly that he's not actually hurt?

 

[bankshot1]

Yeah this is very weird.  The doctor can't disclose this stuff on his own as far as I know.  But what would ARod gain by having his doctor state publicly that he's not actually hurt?

I assume ARod told the Doc,  go ahead and disclose to Francesa the fact that my MRI was normal (and not indicative of a grade 1 strain) . So it puts the ball in the Yankees court. Play ARod or tell the fans why you're not playing him, while your current 3rd baseman is hitting at well below the Mendoza line.

 

[absintheofmalaise]

According to WFAN, Arod signed a HIPPA waiver so that the doc could talk publicly about the quad strain. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

This transcends baseball

 

[Lars The Wanderer]

I can't imagine that MLB will allow this back and forth between the Yankees and ARod to go on for very long. They have to announce something within the next couple of days.

 

[TheoShmeo]

A-Rod is right that the Yankees do not want him back...ever.
 
A very close friend who is a fan of a NL team and neutral about the Yankees watched a game from Hal's box several weeks ago.  Cashman and Hal, as well as several other MFY FO types, were open and clear that they never wanted A-Rod to be in pinstripes again.  They wanted him to just go away. 
 
That they think that is unremarkable.  How could they not?  That they would be so open about this with a group of strangers (one person had a connection and got the rest in to the box) arguably emphasizes the depth of their views. 
 
Related: I work in NYC.  While I've made no effort to discern the consensus view, I can say that I don't know a single Yankees fan whose hope is different than Hal, Cashman and the rest of them. 
 
Last: I am squarely rooting for A-Rod to beat the rap and come back.  The unintentional comedy will be off the charts.  The team doesn't want him.  He's damaged goods.  He's terminally awkward.  The NY press will make it a circus.  It will make his teammates crazy.  Yes, he might prove better than his replacements but the benefits overwhelm that risk, in my view.    

 

[bankshot1]

One can only imagine the frantic calls between the Steinbrenners/Cashman/their lawyers and MLB.
 
Theo's right, as Sox fans our potential for schadenfreude is almost unlimited.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

If MLB wants a lifetime ban, that would indicate no negotiating room,for ARod and he would naturally fight it and fight for a long time. He's got a lot at stake: salary, his endorsements, his reputation etc.  A lifetime ban is is not a bargaining position. If MLB wanted to ban him for life they could just announce it. As they haven't it seems to indicate they want to negotiate a setlement, and probably avoid costly litigation, and a case they could lose.   

 
 
Fuzzy Zoeller lost endorsement contracts for doing much less to soil his own name. Who's going to want to have their products associated with A-Rod after this?
 

He takes a 1 year + suspension (longer than Braun) apologizes to MLB, the Yankees, and the fans for his mistakes which stemmed from the intense competitve pressures to excel, break records, and win,  so he's going to sit for a year, refflect on the errors of his ways, get fully healthy and come back to help the 2015 Yankees win the 2015 World Series.. 

 
Can he do it in front of the whole team again? Those are such great photo-ops.
 

This transcends baseball

 
Touché!

 

[EvilEmpire]

Theo's right, as Sox fans our potential for schadenfreude is almost unlimited.

A year or so ago, the Yankees knew they were completely on the hook for ARod's full contract. Now there is a sliver of hope they might be able to shed some of it. I've no idea how it will work out, but if Sox fans are enjoying this, they have a lot of Yankee fan company.

 

[jon abbey]

Don't think this was posted yet:
 
 
Will Carroll ‏@injuryexpert1h
Hearing an MLB team has filed formal complaint re: ARod's DL stint. Want 3d party exam, discipline for Yanks, doctor if not to standard.

 

[YouLookAdopted]

Don't think this was posted yet:


Will Carroll ‏@injuryexpert1h
Hearing an MLB team has filed formal complaint re: ARod's DL stint. Want 3d party exam, discipline for Yanks, doctor if not to standard.


Wow. Talk about uncharted territory!

 

[glennhoffmania]

I think this might be the beginning of the end for Cashman, unless all of these shenanigans were orchestrated by those who sign his pay checks.

 

[Doctor G]

ARod has enough money and connections to put together a legal team capable of making things very uncomfortable for the Yankees and MLB if he decides to. A trial that goes into the  medical and training staff of a team that has already had a long list of PED  users has to be something that  neither Yankee ownership and management as well as MLB would  want to risk. Making Arod  go away might come with a really high price for the ones who think they have the most to gain by making it happen.
 
Talk about get your popcorn ready. 

 

[Bozo Texino]

Michael Kay on Twitter: You're not going to hear ARod on my radio show anytime soon. He's looking for blind support and he won't get it here. Not seeing it his way.