Biogenesis Suspensions MLB 2013: Announcement This Week Could End A-Rod
Major League Baseball will likely announce suspensions for drug usage this week, which could be a career ending move for Alex Rodriguez.
According to new reports, the MLB with make suspension announcements as a result of its biogenesis drug investigation, sometime this week. The league has previously suggested plans to make the announcement while there are still more than 50 games left to play in the season, according to the New York Post.
First time offenders who tested positive for drugs during the investigation will likely have to serve a minimum 50-day game suspension according to the report. The ideal is that guilty players will accept the sentence instead of appealing. Those players will be able to start next season with a fresh slate.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
One of the most prominent players in the investigation however, the Yankees Alex Rodriguez, will not have the same luck. Rodriquez will likely face harsher penalties due to his previous drug use admission from 2001-2003. Investigators also suspect that Rodriguez has lied to them during the recent inquisition.
Rodriguez has denied rumors that his lawyers have attempted a plea deal. According to reports, in one of the best-case scenarios, Rodriguez could be placed on a 150-day suspension. Strengthening the MLB's case against Rodriguez is testimony from Anthony Bosch, founder of the Biogenesis of America clinic, who is now complying with the organization to avoid a legal mess of his own.
In the testimony Bosch alleges that A-Rod procured performance-enhancing drugs from him for several years. Bosch allegedly paid a visit to Rodriguez during last year's American League Championship Series after the New York Yankees slugger sought his help amid a 1-for-9 slump, according to the ESPN.
Rodriguez's name has also been linked to a possible pay off involving a third man, Porter Fischer, who is believed to have been the marketing director of Biogenesis before he became involved in a dispute with Bosch. Fischer had invested $20,000 in the company and wanted his money back after the disagreement according to the Miami Herald.
Bosch eventually paid Fischer, but when the man demanded an additional $4,000 that Bosch did not have, Bosch involved Rodriguez explaining the Fischer was attempting to expose the company. Rodriguez then allegedly paid Fischer at least $4,000 "to make it go away," reports said.
A more than 100 game suspension for Rodriguez, now 38, could mean the end of his MLB career.
