The suspension could be announced as soon as today, if Rodriguez and MLB can, or even, can not come to terms on a plea deal. A-Rod has already sent his representatives to speak with MLB officials in order to avoid what amounts to the Death Penalty in baseball.
A lifetime ban from the game, while not unprecedented (look up Pete Rose) would come when A-Rod hasn't even served one suspension. A first time offender usually serves 50 games. However, because of the severity of the situation, and the amount of information MLB has on Rodriguez they could drop the hammer.
Baseball dropped the hammer on Ryan Braun a couple weeks ago with a 65 game ban, which could have been 100, if it weren't for Braun negotiating with MLB. Braun would have served a 50 game ban for a first offense, but since MLB was angry that Braun got away from a potential first offense, because of a mishandled test tube of a urine sample over a year ago, they were counting this ban as a second offense.
Everything that people have said about A-Rod's case however has the stench of a ban that goes on much longer than Braun's or anyone else's because of the information they have on him.
Rodriguez will be one of nine players to face suspension for their association with Biogenesis, and it seems like A-Rod is the only one make a fuss about it. If he decides to appeal the suspension, it would come under what is being termed the "basic agreement."
The basic agreement, according to the NY Post's Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman, would keep A-Rod off the field as he waits for arbitrator Fredric Horowitz to hear his case -- which could be a long, long, long time. The only way he could play is if he is suspended through a Joint Drug Agreement.
There is a chance that commissioner Bud Seilg could use Article XI(A)(1)(b) of the Basic Agreement, which is known as the "Integrity of the game clause," which means that Selig would hear A-Rod's case, and in short he is basically screwed. Think Roger Goodell and Bounty Gate.
Selig is prepared and ready to ban A-Rod for life. He is sick and tired of these steroid users poisoning his game, and he is going to do something to stop.
In my personal opinion if Selig bans A-Rod from the game, it comes about six years too late. He should have banned Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens for life after they were basically caught with their pants down and a needle stuck in their side.
In a lot of ways baseball can't go back now. Everyone has pushed their cards to the center of the table, and it is now up to Selig to get his way, or suffer the consequences of being looked upon as a bigger dope, especially if A-Rod wins arbitration and lessens the penalty.Yet, A-Rod is not helping himself. He has been steadfast, even to this day that he is not guilty, and is just now in desperation trying to work out a deal.
If A-Rod is banned for life, obviously it would be a great day for the Yankees, since they will not be on the hook for the $98 million they owe him. If he accepts the plea deal and everyone kisses and makes up, the Yankees would still have to pay A-Rod close to $60 million for the remainder of his contract that goes through 2017.
READ BILL MADDEN.
If he does not come to deals on a plea, Selig can then ban him forever, making him the second player banned from the game joining the aforementioned Pete Rose.
Let's hope MLB drops the hammer on this klutz, this fool, the bozo once and for all. It has been a rocky enough ride with A-Rod in pinstripes, with his only shining moment coming in October 2009, when he actually played well in the playoffs, and the Yankees won the World Series.
Other than that it has been a long, tortured marriage for both Rodriguez and the Yankees. Enough already, ban the jerk for good, and get it over with.
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