Major League Baseball

Could Yankees' A-Rod face further discipline by MLB?

Published Nov. 8, 2014 10:28 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Ken Rosenthal

Could Alex Rodriguez get hit with another penalty from Major League Baseball?

The chances probably are slim. But if new details emerge that Rodriguez assisted his cousin Yuri Sucart in the distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, baseball might have an opening, sources say.

Sucart is one of the defendants in the government’s case against Biogenesis. Nine players, including Rodriguez, were granted immunity by the government in exchange for their testimony.

Baseball already has suspended Rodriguez 162 games for his use and possession of performance-enhancing drugs. The question now is whether the testimony of one or more of the other players would show that Rodriguez also was involved in distribution.

According to reports, the other players granted immunity were Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Yasmani Grandal, Cesar Puello, Jordany Valdespin and Manny Ramirez. Cervelli is Rodriguez’s teammate with the New York Yankees.

But evidence that Rodriguez was involved in distribution could enable baseball to seek additional discipline against him, sources say. The union, on the other hand, would counter that Rodriguez already has been penalized for the entirety of his involvement with Biogenesis.

“It’s an open question,” one official said.

And one that might never come to pass.

Baseball already might have learned that Rodriguez engaged merely in use and possession from its conversations with Anthony Bosch, the owner of the now-defunct Biogenesis. Bosch, who cooperated with the sport’s investigation, is now a defendant in the government’s case.

Still, the possibility that baseball could pursue Rodriguez from another angle is at least under discussion by some within the sport, according to sources.

Baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement states that a player who participates in the sale or distribution of a PED is subject to an 80-game suspension, but not more than a 100-game suspension for a first offense.

The sport, however, likely would view such a violation by Rodriguez as a second offense, citing the “just cause” provision of the Basic Agreement. Baseball, in its original 211-game suspension of Rodriguez, said that he violated not just the JDA, but also that provision.

According to the Basic Agreement, the commissioner may discipline a player for “just cause” when he deems a player’s conduct to be materially detrimental or prejudicial to the best interests of the game.

“Rodriguez’s discipline under the Basic Agreement is for attempting to cover up his violations of the Program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation,” the original decision said.

The JDA states that a player involved in distributing PEDs a second time is subject to a lifetime ban. It’s unclear whether baseball could pursue such a penalty; Rodriguez’s first offense was not for distribution. And again, the union would argue that Rodriguez did not commit a second offense.

Why don’t the Yankees just release Rodriguez?

Because there is still a chance that Rodriguez will report to spring training and demonstrate that he is physically unable to perform, enabling the team to collect insurance on 80 percent of the $61 million that is owed the third baseman.

Whether Rodriguez and the Yankees could succeed with such a case is debatable. But Rodriguez’s ability to withstand the rigors of a major-league season is in question.

Rodriguez, 39, has undergone surgeries on both his hips. He has appeared in only 44 games the past two seasons due to injuries and suspension. However, sources say that he is working out diligently and preparing to play.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball