Tony Bosch Busted Over Biogenesis, What's The Next Step...???

((HT: WSVN-TV))

The gentleman in Miami who ran the steroids clinic linked to Alex Rodriguez surrendered to authorities after he was charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids. The investigation took a little over a year before Anthony Bosch was charged with any crime.

And technically, it was one count of distributing testosterone- an act that the federal authorities say he did for a four-year period.

Bosch and eight other people were arrested- including Rodriguez's cousin, Yuri Sucart.

Documents involved in the investigation say that Rodriguez bought HgH and other materials from the Bosch clinic for three years. Over a dozen other professional baseball players were disciplined by Major League Baseball for their ties to the Bosch clinic as well last season- including reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun.

Rodriguez was also one of the ones disciplined back then...

Here's the morning report on the Bosch arrest...
WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

A-Rod Gives Up Lawsuits Vs. MLB

((HT: Sportsnet))

For whatever reason... common sense not ever being one of them...

Alex Rodriguez has given up his lawsuit against Major League Baseball, the Commissioner, and the MLBPA...

He now accepts the 2014 suspension for the regular season and playoffs...

Everyone is thinking this was a good idea...

“We believe that Mr. Rodriguez’s actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow major league players,” the office of the MLB said in a tightly worded release. “We share that desire.”

Pretty much the same from the union that Rodriguez wanted no part of- except for defensing him at every turn:

“Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit,” the union said in an equally-quick statement. “His decision to move forward is in everyone’s best interest.”

Here's Bobcat saying one theory on using A-Rod's salary in 2014...

A-Rod will get close to US$3-million of his salary...

A-Rod And The Suing Game

((HT: ESPN))

So, now we know the next step...

It's not about the "I did" or "I didn't," it's now about the semantics of the argument, the support, and the investigation.

The Alex Rodriguez camp, led by lawyer Joe Tacopina, is now suing MLB and the MLBPA for a lack of support and suing on the grounds that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz was biased in his ruling. They're also suing on the grounds that a suspension given without cause...

The A-Rod camp is also looking to have ruling vacated and claims that Horowitz ignored the baseball drug agreement and went straight to the 211-game suspension instead of the "standard" 50-game suspension for a first offense...

Roger Cossack discusses...


And here's the thoughts in New York City...
((HT: WABC-TV))

Tony Bosch Vs. Scott Pelley On 60 Minutes

((HT: CBS News/"60 Minutes"))

One day after the arbitor, Fredric Horowitz, upheld the 211-game suspension (although, technically it was trimmed to 162 games plus any 2014 postseason) Major League Baseball handed down against Alex Rodriguez, the center of the allegations held by MLB through Biogenesis owner Anthony Bosch made his peace on CBS...

Here's the piece from Scott Pelley


The A-Rod camp is trying at every opportunity to discredit Bosch and make it clear that his getting into bed with MLB is only an ass-saving move and has no merit in any charge against Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has vehemently denied using any kind of performance-enhancing drug as far back as 2007- although the evidence presented (circumstantial or otherwise) is damning...

Over and over again...

But, as is said... the more you tell a lie, the more you believe a lie you tell...

And that is the case here... see the Palmeiro, Sosa, Pettitte, Clemens, and McGwire cases as evidence...

If what Bosch told Pelley is anywhere close, A-Rod is even more done than before...

DEVELOPING: A-Rod Suspended For All Of 2014

So, after all the arguing, posturing, and threatening in the remainder of the 2013 Major League Baseball season has trimmed Alex Rodriguez's suspension from 211 games down to the 162 of the regular season...

Not a surprise...

And also not a surprise that A-Rod says he's still going to fight the arbitor's ruling...

Here's some of the statement from his camp:

"The number of games sadly comes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one," Rodriguez said in the statement. "This is one man's decision, that was not put before a fair and impartial jury, does not involve me having failed a single drug test, is at odds with the facts and is inconsistent with the terms of the Joint Drug Agreement and the Basic Agreement, and relies on testimony and documents that would never have been allowed in any court in the United States because they are false and wholly unreliable.

"This injustice is MLB's first step toward abolishing guaranteed contracts in the 2016 bargaining round, instituting lifetime bans for single violations of drug policy, and further insulating its corrupt investigative program from any variety defense by accused players, or any variety of objective review."

He can still attend spring training since it has nothing to do with the regular season itself...

Andrew Marchand discusses...
((HT: ESPN))


Rodriguez also maintains he'll take his battle to federal court since he maintains that he has never taken performance enhancing drugs...

This is the HQ holding its breath on that one...

A-Rod's Public Play Vs. "The Man In Milwaukee"

((HT: Sportsnet/YES))

Alex Rodriguez decided to call his meeting with Major League Baseball a "farce..."

A lot of people would agree, but not for the reason he claims the meeting was a farce...

After not getting the commissioner to agree to answering questions in New York City, Rodriguez and his legal team stormed out of the MLB offices and decided to go on their (the HQ is fairly sure) "pre-planned" tour to defend themselves and their point-of-view...

Here's a snippet of the interview with his sympathetic ear in Francesa...
Everyone is sure that Rodriguez wants a court case... which will, probably, be dismissed... But, once you're all in, you're all in... Stick to your story... and A-Rod has... Lester Munson agrees... ((HT: ESPN))

A-Rod Suing MLB... Really...

This...

Well, the HQ doesn't know what the hell is going on...

But Alex Rodriguez is now suing Major League Baseball...just mere days after there were protesters supporting him in his quest telling folks he done got screwed and just...wants...to...play...the...sport...he...loves...

*sniff*

A-Rod claims MLB bought the cooperation of the chief witness against him- Anthony Bosch, the head of the Biogenesis clinic. The lawsuit claims that Bosch has been paid $5 million by MLB, according to the New York Times. Rodriguez's lawyers also claim that MLB promised to provide security for Bosch, cover his legal bills and keep him from being involved in any civil case that may evolve from the head-butting that MLB and Rodriguez are doing in arbitration right now.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig was also named a defendant in the suit, but the New York Yankees were not.

Steve Eder's article in the New York Times has all the details...

From Eder:

Rodriguez’s lawyers claim an investigator paid $150,000 in cash for records related to Rodriguez, which were apparently stolen. A portion of the cash “was handed off in a bag at a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area restaurant,” the lawsuit says.

Well, there you go...

The lawsuit is separate from any other legal action the parties are going through right now...

Here's the paperwork, if you're looking for a good laugh...

And here's A-Rod discussing his 200-plus game suspension and wanting to return last baseball season...
((HT: YES Network))

DEVELOPING: Dempster Gets 5 Games

((HT: ESPN/MLB))

For This...???


What say you, faithful reader...???
Is it a worthy punishment...???

He was fined an undisclosed amount for "intentionally throwing at and hitting Alex Rodriguez."

"I was just trying to pitch inside," he said after the game in defense...

Ryan Dempster, New Red Sox Folk Hero...Until That "Home Run"Thing...

((HT: MLB on ESPN/youtube))

With the chants of "Go Home, Cheater!" ringing through the Fens, Ryan Dempster decided to make his point on the whole Alex Rodriguez saga...

By doing the following in A-Rod's first at bat this evening against the Red Sox...


Joe Girardi's rant-a-palooza didn't help as he got tossed...
Tony Pena took over in the dugout... at least through what the HQ could see on the telly...

The HQ also anticipates another late-inning round of retribution by the Yanks toward any Red Sox batter in the box...

So, then what does A-Rod do...???
Take Dempster deep later in the game...


More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: A-Rod Gone And Done It Now...Allegedly...

((HT: 60 Minutes))

According to CBS Sports, their newsy friends over at "60 Minutes" have learned that Rodriguez's inner circle obtained and, subsequently, leaked Biogenesis documents implicating both Ryan Braun and Francisco Cervelli and their alleged use of PED's.

The prevailing thought being: Well, if I'm going down, I'm taking y'all with me...

And nothing like calling out one of your own teammates in the deal...

From CBS News:

The handwritten documents of Anthony Bosch, the key witness in Major League Baseball's PED investigation, revealed comprehensive doping regimens that Bosch had engineered for a host of professional athletes. His cooperation with MLB has resulted in the suspension of Rodriguez and 13 other major league players.

Braun and Cervelli's names were redacted in the Miami New Times documents. Members of Rodriguez's camp at the time obtained unredacted versions and leaked them to Yahoo! Sports, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The unredacted documents also implicated Baltimore Oriole Danny Valencia, who MLB later investigated and cleared.

In a statement to "60 Minutes," Rodriguez lawyer David Cornwell said, "The allegations are untrue and are another attempt to harm Alex -- this time by driving a wedge between Alex and other players in the game. While Alex focuses on baseball and repeatedly states that he is going to respect the appeal process, the drumbeat of false allegations continues."

To go back a step, the Miami New Times published their knowledge of Bosch's documents back in January, but names were redacted.

Then, CBS reports, that A-Rod's camp sprung into action...

Rodriguez is currently appealing a 211-game suspension that would carry his inactivity through next season. If Major League Baseball can prove that Rodriguez (or his representatives) pulled this stunt, he's in even more serious trouble than before when it comes to proving his innocence in the Biogenesis scandal.

More when we know more...

Reports: It's Done-12 Guys Suspended So Far in MLB (updated)

It appears at least 12 and probably 13 Major League Baseball players will have things other than baseball to keep them occupied over the next 50 games or so.

That's because MLB and the 12 players have agreed in principal to their suspensions in the Biogenesis/Steroids case.

Those 12 include:

Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers OF
Evereth Cabrera, San Diego Padres, SS
Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers, SS
Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies, RP
Francisco Cervelli, NY Yankees, C
Jordany Valdespin, NY Mets OF
Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners, C
Sergio Escalona, Houston Astros (Minor Leagues), P
Fernando Martinez, NY Yankees (Minors) OF
Fautino De Los Santos, Free Agent
Jordan Norberto, Free Agent

The 13th, Alex Rodriguez, otherwise known as the only guy publicized on this, has not agreed, at least of this writing to the terms offered him.

He's let it be known he plans to be in the Yankees Starting lineup Monday night.

We'll see if that happens.

More as the day progresses.

(Update) Per commissioner Bud Selig, Mr. Rodriguez is suspended for the remainder of 2013 and all of 2014. However, he can play while appealing, which he plans to do. Selig said the length of the suspension was primarily due to Rodriguez and his associates obstructing the investigation.

(Update#2)--A Rod responds: "I am disappointed with the penalty and intend to appeal and fight through this process. I'm eager to get back on the field and be with my teammates in Chicago tonight. I want to thank my family, friends and fans who have stood by my side through all of this."

We wonder if his teammates feel the same way he does....

Also Monday afternoon, the MLBPA has come out on Rodriguez's side (natch). Said the director; "For the player appealing, Alex Rodriguez, we agree with his decision to fight his suspension. We believe the Commissioner has not acted appropriately under the Basic Agreement. Mr. Rodriguez knows that the Union, consistent with its history, will defend his rights vigorously."

Another Update: Nelson Cruz said he was sorry to his teammates and fired his agents...
Here's Hansen and Trahan...
((HT: WFAA-TV))

A-Rod To Be Disciplined By Yankees For Second Opinion...???

((HT: ESPN))

So, Alex Rodriguez may be in trouble for going out of turn when it came to consulting a doctor outside of the Yankees purview...

What a player is supposed to do, according to the MLBPA by-laws and collective bargaining agreement, is notify the team in writing that you're seeking an opinion that has nothing to do with the team you play for...

ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand found out that Rodriguez notified Yankees president Randy Levine of his consultation with Dr. Michael Gross after it had occurred.

On the same late-night phone call, Rodriguez told Levine he did not trust Yankees team physician Christopher Ahmad, who diagnosed A-Rod with a Grade 1 quad sprain after an MRI was performed Sunday.

Here's Dr. Cross and his opinion which may cost Rodriguez more than he thought it would...


But, then in full spin mode, Rodriguez came out with a less-angry statement than the one yesterday where he was clearly kvetching at his employers...

"I think the Yanks and I crossed signals," the statement read. "I don't want any more mix-ups. I'm excited and ready to play and help this team win a championship. I feel great, and I'm ready and want to be in the lineup Friday night. Enough doctors. Let's play."

What is clear is that the Yankees do not want Rodriguez to play any time soon. If A-Rod stays out of action for a year (from last October to this October- for the sake of argument), the Yanks can collect insurance money on the contract because of the injuries. If A-Rod plays, the clock starts all over again...

And if the MLB offices suspend him before he comes back, then there's nine figures of dollars on the table that Rodriguez won't even sniff- until he appeals and everything goes to court all over again...

Ryan Braun Doesn't Answer Questions

((HT: ESPN))

A new "Outside The Lines" report from ESPN details the lack of cooperation during the interviewing process that the Brewers' Ryan Braun and that Major League Baseball may be handing down as many as 20 suspensions in and around the All-Star Break.

Names like Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Bartolo Colon, Melky Cabrera, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera may be linked and could cause serious damage to a bunch of fantasy teams across the world.

Braun is also set to return to action after his bruised thumb is no longer hampering his swing. A-Rod is in minor league rehab currently trying to find his swing.

Jim Basquil catches up with a bearded TJ Quinn

DEVELOPING: MLB May Suspend A-Rod, Braun- As Many As 20 Players For Biogenesis Relationships

((HT: Outside The Lines/ESPN))

This could be big...

The whole Biogenesis/Tony Bosch saga may come down to how much Bosch cooperates with Major League Baseball. And, according to Pedro Gomez, Mike Fish, and TJ Quinn, there could be a 100-game suspension in it for Alex Rodriguez and the other twenty players.

The connection to Bosch is one strike, and any contradictions about PED's the athletes under investigation would be a double-dip. Bosch is expected to name names within a week, and the suspensions could come shortly thereafter.

In exchange...

From ESPN:

Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March; indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation; provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that may bring charges against him. Sources said negotiations over the agreement, which lasted several weeks, stalled over the last point, as Bosch wanted the strongest assurances he could get that MLB would help mitigate any prosecution.

The list of possible players, from paperwork that "Outside The Lines" has could reach any combination of:

A-Rod, Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, Cesar Puello, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautini de los Santos, Jordan Norberto, and others who are identified by code names. All are currently on major-league rosters but Puello, a top outfield prospect for the New York Mets- playing in Class AA Binghamton.

Here's the first time that Pedro Gomez caught up with Bosch back in April...


MLB athletes have an appeals process with the MLBPA, evidenced by Braun's foray into the process when he went with the "FedEx guy and the tester poisoned my sample" defense. Puello does not since he's in the minors.

Here's the original piece from Fish and Quinn

So... Did A-Rod Or Didn't A-Rod Take Recent PED's...???

((HT: Miami New Times/Elfrink))

According to Tim Elfrink's Miami New Times article, a three-month investigation into the Biogenesis clinic near the University of Miami campus has yielded some big names in its net- including Alex Rodriguez who has stated publicly that he's been off the PED train for almost ten years...

Remember the Peter Gammons interview...???
((HT: ESPN/youtube))


Anthony Bosch ran Biogenesis and has somewhat disappeared when a list of names that's fairly well known in baseball circled as part of an alleged client list given to the New Times- Melky Cabrera, Oakland A's hurler Bartolo Colón, Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz.

From Elfrink:

The notebooks and client lists aren't the only evidence linking Rodriguez to Bosch. Former employees say Bosch would openly brag about selling drugs to Rodriguez.

"He was always talking about A-Rod," says one former employee who asked not to be named. "We never saw any athletes in the office, so we didn't know if he was just talking bullshit or not. But he would brag about how tight they were."

The two connections to all of the athletes and Biogenesis seem to be that they all had a hook with the UM program and they possibly caught once before by Major League Baseball on an investigation of some degree.

But whether or not Biogenesis has actually helped Rodriguez is another matter as his body seems to be breaking down more consistently these days. The HQ rubs its chin and wonders aloud why that is...

He has not played a full season with the Yankees since 2007 and had his second lowest batting average in his career last season. He played in only 122 games before going on the DL. He also hasn't hit more than 30 HR in a season since 2008.

The Yankees owe Rodriguez $114 million over the five years left on his current contract. When it expires, Rodriguez will be 41-years-old. He will, at that point, be one very expensive designated hitter...