MLB Prepared To Ban A-Rod For Life

[packs]

He would never retire though. He's clearly stupid, but not so stupid as to voluntarily walk away from the remaining, what? 100 million plus on his contract? Baseball needs him to be banned. The Yankees need him to be banned even more.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by packs

He would never retire though. He's clearly stupid, but not so stupid as to voluntarily walk away from the remaining, what? 100 million plus on his contract? Baseball needs him to be banned. The Yankees need him to be banned even more.

+100 million

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by packs

He would never retire though. He's clearly stupid, but not so stupid as to voluntarily walk away from the remaining, what? 100 million plus on his contract? Baseball needs him to be banned. The Yankees need him to be banned even more.

Certainly the Yankees are lobbying hard behind the scenes for a lifetime ban. Despite the embarrassment, it will save them $60 million or so on the last years of the contract.

What I can't believe is that there isn't already some sort of clause that would allow the team to sever the contract for violations of this sort.

[packs]

I think that there is. If a player is banned or retires voluntarily don't they forfeit the remaining balance of their contracts? I know Albert Belle specifically did not retire so that he could continue to collect his contract money while injured.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by packs

I think that there is. If a player is banned or retires voluntarily don't they forfeit the remaining balance of their contracts? I know Albert Belle specifically did not retire so that he could continue to collect his contract money while injured.

I understand that and I understand if he is banned for life, the Yanks are off the hook.

What I meant is, if he gets suspended for a year and a half due to PEDs, that in itself should be enough for the team to sever the contract. You'd think there would be some sort of clause that gives the team an out when a player commits a serious crime or serious violation of baseball's rules.

What if a player committed an assault and went to prison for 3 years? Could they just come back after three years and pick up the remaining part of the contract like nothing ever happened? Kinda shocking if the answer is "yes."

[packs]

I agree. I remember when Alex admitted steroid use the first time around the Yankees were trying to do all they could to get out of his contract. But there wasn't anything they could do because he hadn't been punished by the league and what he admitted to wasn't against the rules at the time.

Speaking of going to jail, I think Aaron Hernandez will still receive the guaranteed portion of his contract even if he is found guilty of murder. Pretty incredible if that is true.

[drcy]

I believe the CBA agreement doesn't allow voiding of contracts for PED use. If the player is banned for life, that might be the exception.

Duly note that a lot of the stuff ARod is being accused of isn't just PED use, but alleged attempting to destroy evidence during an investigation, lying to MLB, recruiting other players to biogenesis and coercing a witness. So the issue with ARod isn't just a "failed urine test" and isn't just PED use.

Also note that Braun accepted a suspension longer than the normal and expected 50 day suspension for first time. This means there was more to it than just a first time PED failure.

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by drcy

I believe the CBA agreement doesn't allow voiding of contracts for PED use. If the player is banned for life, that might be the exception.

Duly note that a lot of the stuff ARod is being accused of isn't just PED use, but alleged attempting to destroy evidence during an investigation, lying to MLB, recruiting other players to biogenesis and coercing a witness. So the issue with ARod isn't just a "failed urine test" and isn't just PED use.

Also note that Braun accepted a suspension longer than the normal and expected 50 day suspension for first time. This means there was more to it than just a first time PED failure.

All good points. With Braun though, it wasn't realllly a first offense. His acquittal the first time around was a technicality and a joke. Braun bartered the suspension he received because MLB approached him with the option of negotiating a suspension that he wouldn't appeal. Had he chose to appeal the suspension, MLB would likely have pushed for longer.

[dgo71]

I think that's definitely needed. I'm sure the Brewers would love to be able to void, or st the very least renegotiate Braun's PED-induced contract. A-Rod has consistently carried himself as someone who could buy his way out of anything, someone to whom the rules do not apply. It's high time he's shown he was wrong in that assumption. If they can ban Joe Jackson for basically not blowing the whistle on his teammates, or Pete Rose for gambling, then A-Rod should most definitely join that list for repeatedly cheating, obstruction of an ongoing investigation and his role in contaminating the game by basically recruiting for Biogenesis. Good riddance.