MLB May Suspend A-Rod Through CBA

Rather than allow Alex Rodriguez to appeal a drug related suspension that would keep him on the field, Ron Blum of the Associated Press has reported that Major League Baseball may suspend A-Rod for violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Article XII B of the Basic Agreement, which states: ''Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law.''

If suspended under that section, Rodriguez would serve the penalty while a grievance is litigated before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz - unless the union asks for a stay and the arbitrator grants one, which would be unusual under the grievance procedure. And baseball could always try to punish A-Rod on drug violations later. ¹

Tune in tomorrow for another episode of How the A-Rod Turns.

Read about (A-Rod's lawyer) David Cornwell's appearance with Stephen A. Smith, who sat in for Michael Kay today on ESPN radio.


1 - Yahoo Sports

A-Rod: What a Fool Believes

Dr. Gross may not be smiling much longer

The Yankees had a really great come from behind win in the 9th inning against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night, but you would never know it. All that was talked about today was the continuing saga of Alex Rodriguez aka A-Quad.

It's a situation that appears to not to be going away any time soon, in part because A-Quad has decided to go on the offensive.  Dr. Michael Gross, not to be confused with the Dad on Family Ties, made the media rounds on Tuesday to refute the Yankees claim that A-Quad has a Grade-1 strain of his left quadriceps.

The ball got rolling when Gross appeared on Mike Francesa's radio show on WFAN Wednesday afternoon and claimed that the MRI of A-Quad's leg showed no injury and that A-Quad felt fine and ready to play in games.

Gross later backed down a little when he was questioned by other media about his supposed examination of A-Rod's quad. Gross, in fact, never actually examined A-Quad, he simply read the MRI. After he told Francesa he "saw nothing", Gross later said he "didn't see much." When questioned by ESPN.com's Andrew Marchand, Gross changed his statement again to "I don't see a significant injury."

Yankees GM Brian Cashman released a statement Wednesday evening in response to the allegation as well as to reports that A-Quad sought a second opinion without getting permission from the team, which would be a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“I heard via a text message this afternoon from Alex Rodriguez that he had retained a doctor to review his medical situation. In media reports, we have since learned that the doctor in question has acknowledged that he did not examine Mr. Rodriguez and that he was not retained to do a comprehensive medical examination of Mr. Rodriguez. Contrary to the Basic Agreement, Mr. Rodriguez did not notify us at any time that he was seeking a second opinion from any doctor with regard to his quad strain.

“As you know, it is the Yankees’ desire to have Alex return to the lineup as soon as possible. And we have done everything to try and accomplish this.

“As early as Friday, July 12, when I suggested to Alex that we move his rehab from Tampa to Triple-A Scranton (at Buffalo), Alex complained for the first time of “tightness” in his quad and therefore refused to consent to the transfer of his assignment. Again, last Sunday, Alex advised that he had stiffness in his quad and should not play on Sunday or Monday. We sent Alex to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for an MRI which evidenced a Grade 1 strain.

“As always, we will follow the rules and regulations set forth in the Basic Agreement, and will again re-evaluate Alex in Tampa tomorrow, as our goal is to return him to the lineup as soon as he is medically capable of doing so.”¹

Things got even crazier a short time ago when the New York Daily News reported that Gross is now part of Major League Baseball's investigation into the Biogenesis clinic.

"Gross was reprimanded in February for “failing to adequately ensure proper patient treatment involving the prescribing of hormones including steroids.” 

When notified by the Daily News of the reprimand Gross received from the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, a league source said Major League Baseball’s investigation of Rodriguez in the Biogenesis case would expand.

"This has caused MLB to now expand its investigation (of A-Rod) in regard to his relationship with this doctor and this wellness clinic,” said the source. According to the reprimand letter, Gross started a clinic called Active Center for Health and Wellness, where he permitted an individual “who had completed medical school but did not have a medical license to participate in the care and treatment of the patients.”²

If Rodriguez truly had a leg to stand on (yeah, I went there), he could simply have filed a grievance with the player's union. As far as anyone knows, that has not happened. Here's hoping Bud Selig and company get off their behinds soon and announce a suspension.

"Alex Rodriguez making trouble for himself since at least 2003."

And just so it's not completely lost in the mix, great job by Vernon Wells, Eduardo Nunez, and Brent Lillibridge to beat the Rangers Tuesday night, 5-4.

1 - Courtesy of NJ.com
2 - Courtesy of NYDN.com

Accusations of Collusion

It wouldn't be the first time major league owners were accused of collusion. In fact, a court one time said they were. But player's union rep Donald Fehr is seething over what took place at this past week's General Managers meetings.

An idea was spawned by Sox GM Theo Epstein and Marlins prez of ops, Larry Beinfest.... Let's have all the GMs sit around and talk about their plans for the coming season, what players might be available and what their free agent intentions might be.

In other words, let's find out how many teams want to spend 'X' amount of dollars on big name free agents. Should a team sign a free agent if they know that a player may become available via a trade?

While no state secrets were released (e.g. Epstein saying he'd like to keep Mike Lowell), Fehr was furious and released a statement in response to the GM's actions:

“We expect to look into the situation, and are prepared to take the appropriate action to respond to any collusive behavior, and to make sure that the rights of free-agent players under the Basic Agreement are fully protected.”

This was Theo's take on it:

“It’s increased our efficiency tremendously and has saved us a lot of time.” Epstein told USA Today. “Some teams are specific; others are more guarded. Everyone I’ve talked to thought the idea was beneficial.”

“We asked before we did it.” Epstein said. “We had two different officials from Major League Baseball there — one from baseball operations, one from labor relations. They felt that would meet all the requirements for a proper meeting.”

Did Theo really think the MLB, run by a former owner, would turn the request down? Now we'll just have to wait and see what the implications and ramifications are down the road.

Source

Accusations of Collusion

It wouldn't be the first time major league owners were accused of collusion. In fact, a court one time said they were. But player's union rep Donald Fehr is seething over what took place at this past week's General Managers meetings.

An idea was spawned by Sox GM Theo Epstein and Marlins prez of ops, Larry Beinfest.... Let's have all the GMs sit around and talk about their plans for the coming season, what players might be available and what their free agent intentions might be.

In other words, let's find out how many teams want to spend 'X' amount of dollars on big name free agents. Should a team sign a free agent if they know that a player may become available via a trade?

While no state secrets were released (e.g. Epstein saying he'd like to keep Mike Lowell), Fehr was furious and released a statement in response to the GM's actions:

“We expect to look into the situation, and are prepared to take the appropriate action to respond to any collusive behavior, and to make sure that the rights of free-agent players under the Basic Agreement are fully protected.”

This was Theo's take on it:

“It’s increased our efficiency tremendously and has saved us a lot of time.” Epstein told USA Today. “Some teams are specific; others are more guarded. Everyone I’ve talked to thought the idea was beneficial.”

“We asked before we did it.” Epstein said. “We had two different officials from Major League Baseball there — one from baseball operations, one from labor relations. They felt that would meet all the requirements for a proper meeting.”

Did Theo really think the MLB, run by a former owner, would turn the request down? Now we'll just have to wait and see what the implications and ramifications are down the road.

Source