It wouldn't be an offseason for the Texas Rangers without an off-the-field distraction.
The latest one is a doozy.
Outfielder Nelson Cruz has been linked to a Florida clinic that supplied performance enhancing drugs to athletes, according to a report in the Miami New Times.
The Rangers found out about the investigation last week.
"The Texas Rangers were contracted late last week by Miami New Times regarding the story posted this morning," a statement from the club read. "At that time, the Rangers contacted Major League Baseball on that inquiry. The team has no further comment."
According to the story, Cruz purchased products from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic in Miami that closed last month. Anthony Bosch ran the clinic and, according to his records, he sold $4,000 worth of products to Cruz last July. Bosch used the nickname Mohamad for Cruz. According to Bosch's notes, he had a specific plan for Cruz last year. "Need to call him, go Thur to Texas, take meds from April 5-May 5, will owe him troches and…and will infuse them in May," was what Bosch had written about Cruz in his notes. Troches are tablets with testosterone in them according to the story.
Cruz has never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Others listed in the story haven't been so fortunate. The report also lists Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon as clients along with San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal. All four of those players have been busted for using PEDs and Cabrera, Colon and Grandal were each suspended for parts of the 2012 season.
Major League Baseball released a lengthy statement in the wake of the article. It said that MLB is in the midst of an active investigation and is gathering and reviewing information.
"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances," the statement read. "These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program.
Cruz spent part of the offseason following the 2011 season in Miami. He was recovering from a stomach virus and then stayed there to work out. Last month at the team's Fan Fest event in Arlington he said he was going to work out again in the Miami area before heading to Arizona for spring training.
If the allegations against Cruz prove true, he could be slapped with a 50-game suspension. Cruz, who can be a free agent following the 2013 season, has been Texas' primary right fielder since the 2009 season. He's coming off a 24-homer season in which he also set a career high with 90 RBI.
If the Rangers lose Cruz, they have limited options. Mike Olt, who played sparingly in the outfield, could see some time there. Texas could also switch Mitch Moreland to the outfield and put Lance Berkman at first base. But Berkman is coming off knee surgery and is expected to be the club's primary designated hitter.
