Most of the suspensions that stem from the Biogenesis scandal were expected to be handed out simultaneously, but Ryan Braun struck a deal with Major League Baseball on Monday that changed that. Braun decided to accept his punishment and admit wrongdoing, making him the first domino to fall. Will Alex Rodriguez be the second?
Braun’s decision to accept a suspension likely indicates the evidence MLB has compiled against the players who are connected to Biogenesis is overwhelming. According to ESPNNewYork.com, the evidence against A-Rod reaches “far beyond” what was tied to Braun’s name. While a similar punishment could be coming, it could take a bit longer.
“My understanding is he’s trying to make a deal,” a source reportedly told ESPNNewYork.com. “But I don’t think it’s going to happen [Monday].”
One previous report indicated that Rodriguez could be working on a 150-game suspension plea deal with MLB, while another report claimed he is all but assured at least a 50-game ban. Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the team has been “kept out of the process” and is unsure of what the future holds.
It will be interesting to see if the difference in age between Braun and Rodriguez comes into play. Braun is 29 years old. He will forever be known as a cheat and a fraud, but he can serve his suspension and return next year to continue his career and continue collecting the roughly $113 million the Brewers still owe him.
At age 37 and battling a number of injuries including two bad hips, A-Rod faces different circumstances. Rather than accepting the suspension now, he could appeal it and drag the decision into next year. That way he can return to the Yankees this season and possibly take the road many have predicted he will travel — claiming he is physically unfit to play and collecting the remainder of his contract because of injury.
If A-Rod accepts a similar suspension to Braun’s, his career could be over. His reputation is already ruined, so don’t be surprised if he finds the easiest way to collect as much money as possible before accepting his punishment.
