Alex Rodriguez reportedly sues MLB, claims ‘witch hunt’ to force him from sport

Alex Rodriguez reportedly filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball on Thursday. The New York Times has reported that A-Rod’s lawyers have accused MLB of buying the cooperation of Biogenesis boss Anthony Bosch as part of an ongoing “witch hunt” to find a way to force the slugger out of the sport.

The suit, which is separate from Rodriguez’s suspension appeal, claims an MLB investigator paid $150,000 for records pertaining to A-Rod that were allegedly stolen. A-Rod’s lawyers say the cash “was handed off in a bag at a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area restaurant.” They also claim MLB paid Bosch a total of $5 million in monthly installments, provided him with security and covered his legal bills in exchange for his cooperation in taking down Rodriguez.

“The entire legal dynamic is very complex, and my legal team is doing what they need to in order to vindicate me and pursue all of my rights,” A-Rod said in a written statement. “This matter is entirely separate from the ongoing arbitration. I look forward to the arbitration proceedings continuing, and for the day to come when I can share my story with the public and my supporters.”

After Rodriguez was suspended 211 games in August for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs and interfering with MLB’s investigation, he hired one of New York’s top criminal defense lawyers and a report surfaced claiming he would sue MLB if the ban was not lifted. The lawsuit may be separate from A-Rod’s appeal, but the two cases could tie together depending on how the suit turns out.

Bud Selig was reportedly named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The Yankees were not, nor were any of their team officers.

Earlier this week, a report indicated that A-Rod’s defense is claiming he was unaware the substances he bought from Bosch were banned by baseball. The saga continues to get more complicated by the day, which should not surprise anyone.