It looks as though the PED problem in Major League Baseball is far from over.
According to a bombshell report from ESPN’s Outside the Lines , the MLB will look to suspend 20 players for their connection with a Biogenesis clinic in Southern Florida. Two of these players in question are former MVP’s in New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.
Here’s an excerpt from the ESPN report:
Major League Baseball will seek to suspend about 20 players connected to the Miami-area clinic at the heart of an ongoing performance-enhancing drug scandal, including Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun, possibly within the next few weeks, “Outside the Lines” has learned. If the suspensions are upheld, the performance-enhancing drug scandal would be the largest in American sports history.
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 [Biogenesis founder Tony] Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another. Bosch and his attorneys did not return several calls. MLB officials refused to comment when reached Tuesday.
In addition to A-Rod and Braun other names being mentioned in connection to the clinic are Everth Cabrera (Padres), Melky Cabrera (oh my) (Blue Jays), Francisco Cervelli (Yankees), Bartolo Colon (A’s), Nelson Cruz (Rangers), free agent Fautino de los Santos, Gio Gonzalez (Nationals), Yasmani Grandal (Padres), Fernando Martinez (Astros), Jesus Montero (Mariners), free agent Jordan Norberto, Jhonny Peralta (Tigers), and Cesar Puello (Mets system).
Sad truth: Biogenesis is worse than BALCO, and with Tony Bosch talking, baseball gets only a Pyrrhic victory. Column: http://t.co/Zio8xeWZg9
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 5, 2013
According to ESPN, Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch will cooperate and ‘name names’ in connection with his clinic but it’s unclear whether or not that will be enough to issue suspensions. You have to assume that the MLBPA will put up a pretty strong defensive in what’s shaping up to be the biggest PED incident since the Mitchell Report.
Photo: CBS Sports
