PED Suspensions

Suspensions have been out for PED use yesterday, putting twelve players on a 50-game suspension that will most likely end their season, and Alex Rodriguez is suspended 211 regular season games through the 2014 season. The 12 players other than Rodriguez have accepted their suspensions, while A-Rod plans to appeal. 

“I’m fighting for my life. I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself, no one else will,” Rodriguez told reporters after the league announced his decision. “The last seven months have been a nightmare.”

Rodriguez has the largest contract in MLB history with the Yankees, with a whopping $275 million contract. He is a 14-time all-star, a 3-time AL MVP, a 2-time gold glover, and a 10-time Silver Slugger. In his 20 year career, he’s batted .300/.384/.560 with 647 home runs and 1950 RBI’s. He has had eight years with a WAR over 8 (a WAR of 8+ is MVP worthy), with his highest at 10.3 in 2000.

His stats show that Rodriguez was one of the greatest players that has ever played. Without injuries, he could have broken Barry Bonds’ home run record (which, granted, is also a sham). However, much of it is contributed to steroids. His suspension begins Thursday, unless he wins to appeal. 

Ironically, Rodriguez returned to the MLB last night against the White Sox. He received a roar of boos from Chicago, as he went 1-4 in the cleanup position. If this suspension goes into effect, which it will, Rodriguez won’t return to baseball until he is 40- at that age, he won’t be back again.

A-Rod is the biggest part of this scandal, especially because of his performance over the years. If you look at it in today’s game, other teams lost big players that could help teams make a run into the playoffs. Here are the players receiving 50-game suspensions without pay for their connection with the Biogenesis program.

·         Pitcher Antonio Bastardo (Phillies)

·         SS Evereth Cabrera (Padres)

·         Catcher Francisco Cervelli (Yankees)

·         OF Nelson Cruz (Rangers

·         Pitcher Fautino De Los Santos (Padres AA system)

·         Pitcher Sergio Escalona (Astros AA system)

·         OF Fernando Martinez (Yankees AAA system)

·         Catcher Jesus Montero (Mariners AAA system)

·         Pitcher Jordan Norberto (Free Agent)

·         SS Jhonny Peralta (Tigers)

·         Outfielder Cesar Puello (Mets AA system)

·         IF/OF Jordany Valdespin (Mets AAA system, big prospect)

All suspensions are effective immediately, except Jordan Norberto, whose suspension will take place immediately when he signs with another MLB organization. Blue Jays OF Melky Cabrera, Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal will not receive additional discipline because they have already served a 50 game suspension. The MLB found no violations with Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Orioles IF Danny Valencia. Geographically, that makes one player from Nicaragua, three from Venezuela, and eight from the Dominican Republic. 

Biggest losses here? Rangers OF Nelson Cruz and Padres SS Evereth Cabrera. Nelson Cruz, 33, declined to appeal the penalty, and will become a free agent after this season. Cruz batted .269/.330/.511 but had 27 home runs and 76 RBI’s this season. He was a big part of this Rangers team that will need to cope with the loss. They need to try and win the division without him, which will be tough against the A’s, but possible. Right now they are two games back from the A’s, and have a half game lead in the wild card spot. 

Evereth Cabrera was in tears when he apologized yesterday for his use of steroids. Though the Padres need something big to try and get into the playoffs, losing Cabrera is a big loss. This year he batted .283/.355/.381 with a league leading 37 steals (and also a league leading 12 times caught stealing). Last year he led the NL in stolen bases with 44 steals as well. He promises his fans to return strong for next season.

Cruz and Cabrera were both all-stars this year. The other all-star that was suspended was SS Jhonny Peralta for the Tigers. Detroit, however, figured that Peralta would be suspended, and traded top prospect Avisail Garcia for SS Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox. Peralta’s contract expires at the end of the season anyways, and they don’t plan on resigning him now. Peralta batted .305/.361/.461 this year, and is 31 years old. Jose Iglesias is a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, batting .330/.376/.409 in 63 games with the Red Sox. So although they lost their all-star shortstop, they played ahead and won’t be affected too much with the issue.

All these suspensions are still a day of infamy in baseball. However, it marks a huge step in the process to end the steroid era and to start playing baseball like it used to be. Even former OF Mark McGwire, who was a huge figure of the steroid era and broke baseball’s home run record in 1998, said that he wishes he was never a part of it, and said “it’s not worth it all.” 

This is a change in the steroid era. Before, players would even hide secrets about other players to lay low, but now players are being more honest, and the MLB has done a much better job targeting players. I wish that these suspensions were harsher, but I think that suspensions will get harder if this continues.

Today is a sad day in baseball, but a giant step towards a greater future. Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd