Last night came word from ESPN that Major League Baseball was ready to suspended players connected to the Biogenesis clinic in baseball. Here are the players that could face a suspension.
The players who might ultimately face discipline from MLB include: Rodriguez, Braun, Cabrera, Colon, Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, Cesar Puello, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautino de los Santos, Jordan Norberto and a number of other players who either are identified by code names or whose names appear in other documents not obtained by "Outside the Lines."
A few observations:
- Strip malls aren't the place to go for "anti-aging" whatever. They just aren't. Strip malls are good for going to place like Rite Aid to get a jug of milk or maybe some Tylenol. "Anti-aging" drugs? Nah.
- I find myself agreeing with this Rob Neyer column on the subject. We can't act outraged that Barry Bonds is breaking records while allegedly juiced and not act outraged that baseball is going after these guys. It's hypocritical since a lot of people wanted baseball to go after the drug cheats 10 years ago.
- This is just the beginning. There will be appeal processes and hearings. It wouldn't surprise me if this story lasts until next season as well with the suspensions if they're upheld in court.
- Really the only teams that would be hurt by suspensions would be the Rangers (Cruz) and the Tigers (Peralta). The Yankees have done just fine without A-Rod so far and the Brewers have admitted that they are currently rebuilding. The rest of the players are either scrubs (Cervelli), players on losing teams (Grandal, Cabrera), or former busts (Montero). And the A's did just fine last year without Colon.
This is going to be ugly no matter how it plays out. Best case scenario MLB wins in the appeal process against some of the players and loses others. Worst case scenario suggest by Jonah Keri is that the player's union goes on strike. Either way this whole thing is ugly for baseball and the players.
I doubt the union goes on strike over this. Maybe if Fehr was still in charge. Also like you said this is just the beginning. The arbitration process is going to be long.
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