Unlike Milwuakee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has yet to reach an agreement with Major League Baseball regarding punishment for his alleged involvement with Tony Bosch’s Biogenesis clinic. MLB investigators have reportedly uncovered much more evidence against A-Rod than Braun, but the belief is that Rodriguez is going to appeal any suspension he is given.
According to a recent report in the NY Daily News, MLB commissioner Bud Selig is willing to do everything in his power to stop A-Rod from getting his way. Selig reportedly wants Rodriguez gone from the game of baseball — for good.
As the Daily News pointed out, Article XI Section A1b of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement states that the commissioner has the right to take action against a player if it means preserving the integrity of the game. If Selig were able to successfully invoke the clause against A-Rod, he might be able to bypass the grievance process that the MLB Players Association can typically use when appealing drug-related penalties.
MLB investigators reportedly believe Rodriguez tried to “intimidate witnesses and purchase incriminating documents” to protect himself, which is why the violations he has allegedly committed extend far beyond performance-enhancing drug use. If Article XI Section A1b comes into play, Selig is the person who would hear any appeal A-Rod files. And we have an idea of how that would go.
The Daily News insists that MLB officials believe they have enough evidence against A-Rod to prove that he intentionally interfered with their investigation. As a result, Selig may try to bypass the standard arbitration procedures to keep Rodriguez from ever playing again, even if it leads to a federal court case.
At this point, it sounds as though Rodriguez’s best shot at earning some of the roughly $100 million the Yankees still owe him would be to accept a deal with MLB. There have been rumors that he could be facing a suspension that would keep him out until the start of the 2015 season, which is obviously not ideal for the career of a 38-year-old player with two bad hips. It may, however, be the best chance he has at cashing in.
