From everything the public has been told, Alex Rodriguez, an admitted steroid user from 2001-03, not only was a client of Biogenesis, but recruited players to the facility, and once the investigation began, did his best to obstruct the inquiry to the best of his ability.
For weeks we have heard that MLB has been in negotiations with Rodriguez on a suspension settlement. It seems that MLB's major concern is Rodriguez appealing the suspension and having the matter heard by an arbitrator, and if a settlement is agreed upon with him, they can avoid arbitration all together. They successfully negotiated a similar suspension agreement with All Star Ryan Braun earlier this summer.
But my question, and the question every baseball fan should be asking is, why is MLB negotiating AT ALL with A-Rod?
This is not a situation where there are alleged violations, in which players can mitigate their punishments by negotiating, or MLB can forgo a possible publicity nightmare by the player being vindicated through arbitration. MLB supposedly has mountains of evidence against Rodriguez, as well as other players. This is the reason that Braun agreed to a settlement rather than continue his Lance Armstrong type defiance.
To negotiate with Rodriguez just helps Rodriguez, not MLB.
What they should have done, and if the commissioner had any backbone, would be suspend Rodriguez for life.
He is a repeat offender who cheated and defiantly attempted to cover it up. With all of the evidence they have against him, there is no reason why MLB shouldn't have made an example out him and kicked him out of the league for good. This would be a huge deterrent for other players that if they are caught there will be major consequences.
As it stands now Rodriguez will take a year off and be allowed to return to the field to collect the remaining millions on his astronomical contract. Some penalty. If I were an up and coming player (and didn't care about my future health and the integrity of the game) I wouldn't see any reason NOT to take PED's, "earn" myself a massive contract, and if I get caught, oh well. I go on a little vacation and return to collect 85-90% of my huge contract.
And why should MLB fear going to arbitration with Rodriguez? They should welcome it. They will be able to present all of the evidence they have against him and force Rodriguez to defend himself. They should be thrilled if he challenges any suspension to open up the process and show what a blatant cheater he is and how the sport will not stand for it.
Unfortunately MLB has wimped out yet again, and has done nothing to preserve the long term validity of the game.
Shame on you Bud Selig.
And in case you're scoring at home:
Betting on baseball (Pete Rose) or accused of fixing games (Joe Jackson) - Lifetime ban
Being a brazen cheater and liar who spits in the face of the league that has given him millions - 211 games suspension.
Bravo MLB, Bravo.
