The saga of Alex Rodriguez appealing his historic 211-game suspension for steroid use and hindering Major League Baseball's investigation of Biogenesis anti-aging clinic continues.
Sources on A-Rod's side have allegedly leaked e-mail exchanges between Rodriguez and Yankees president Randy Levine, that reveal a once-happy relationship eroding and Rodriguez's insecurity within the organization growing.
One e-mail exchange that took place on February 28th, signaled the beginning of a fracture. "Randy, As you can imagine, I'm feeling left out...and this leaves an empty hole in my life. And on top of that I'm dealing with the backlash of all these ugly rumors and false stories," Rodriguez wrote. "Of course I am very concerned about these rumors and about what the team is doing and saying about me. ... People have been telling me that you have an 8% bounty on my contract. Maybe all of this is coming from my cousin [Yuri Sucart], who knows.
"(Sucart) claims he met with the Yankees and that you are after me and it has me concerned. I hope this (email) is the start of us clearing the air between us. I don't want us to be enemies," Rodriguez continues in the email. "I am loyal to the team. I only want the best for the Yankees organization. But I do need reassurance from you and I need to know what is going on. It is bad business for everyone."
Levine responded to that e-mail the same day denying any sort of meetings with Sucart were occurring, as well as the existence of a bounty on Rodriguez's large contract.
"Neither I nor anyone at Yankees ever met with your cousin. This (Biogenesis investigation) is being handled by MLB and we r allowing them to do their job. There is no bounty on you. We have no idea who MLB is meeting with or what course their investigation is taking. It is entirely in their hands. We r not talking to the media on this issue, we have said this is being handled by MLB, and we will have no comment until the investigation is over. That's it. There is nothing else going on. I wish u health and a good rehab."
While that exchange seemed respectful, in August all pretenses of professionalism were absent, and replaced by a desperate tone from A-Rod. "Can u please stop!! I want to play baseball and I could make a big difference to the game," Rodriguez wrote. "(George) Steinbrenner would roll in his grave IF he knew what was happening! Stop, Randy, this isn't going to be good for any of us!! You are a businessman and what you are doing is ruining the business of baseball. If u want to meet in person to discuss it, let's do it!"
Levine continued throughout to deny the claims Rodriguez was making, but might land in hot water for a "joke" he made regarding Robinson Cano back in 2012 that possibly intimated steroid use.
In 2012, when Rodriguez and Levine seemed to be on much better terms, Levine had e-mailed A-Rod about Cano and Ivan Nova. At the time Rodriguez was on the disabled list and not playing. Levine's e-mail read, "Hey, what's up with Robby? This guy must not be using the liquid. U didn't tell me what did Chris and Steve say your ETA is. Don't rush it unless u r right. We need you. (Ivan) Nova looks like he may need a breather. What do u see."
Times have changed, but what remains the same is controversy cropping up constantly when it comes to A-Rod. His appeals process is still ongoing, but if his suspension is upheld he will not be seen on a diamond until 2015 at the earlies.
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