While the baseball world awaits the suspension of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and other players involved with the Biogenesis clinic, the MLBPA has already been informed which players will receive bans and for how long, according to reports.
ESPN reports that MLB and the players association are trying to work out as many deals as possible, similar to the one that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun reached, in an effort to bypass lengthy grievance hearings.
Both sides want to announce all the suspensions at the same time, which could push the revelations until Friday. Of all the players involved, Rodriguez is expected to draw the lengthiest penalty, with varying reports calling for bans ranging from 150 games to a lifetime penalty.
Other names involved in the scandal involve three 2013 All-Stars, Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres, and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers. The rest of the previously reported names are Melky Cabrera of the Blue Jays, Bartolo Colon of the Athletics, Francisco Cervelli of the Yankees and Jesus Montero of the Mariners.
Colon and Cabrera have previously served 50-game suspensions for performance enhancing drug use, so it is unclear whether their prior steroid ties will be taken into account with regard to Biogenesis bans.
Rodriguez has openly stated he is willing to grapple with MLB over any suspension they try to impose on him. In a Monday interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Rodriguez's lawyer, David Cornwell said, "We are focused on an appeal."
Cornwell also said he and A-Rod's goal are to receive "no discipline" from MLB and that Rodriguez is focused on returning to the diamond.
"Alex's primary focus right now is playing baseball," Cornwell said. "It has been nearly a year since he played. He has gone through his operation. There is no amount of rehab games or simulated games that is going to give him the feel of a live blitz at a major league baseball level. That is where Alex's primary focus is right now."
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