Rumor: A-Rod, Cano, Ryan Braun and Curtis Granderson to be Suspended

February 24 2013 Tampa FL USA New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano 24 works out prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at George M Steinbrenner Field Kim Klement USA TODAY Sports

Dog and Pony Show, who correctly predicted last summer that Melky Cabrera would be suspended for using PEDs, have again tweeted a rumor:

Anonymous Source: Cano, Granderson, A-Rod and Braun will all be suspended for failing PED test this season.

— Joe Bisceglie (@joebisceglie) March 4, 2013

If Mr. Bisceglie’s source is accurate once again, this might be a solid uppercut to the Yankees, who will already be losing Granderson until sometime in mid-May due to a fractured forearm he suffered in spring training.

This would be a first offense for each player, resulting in a 50 game suspension. If Granderson is indeed suspended, he will serve his suspension while on the disabled list.

In dealing with rumors, there’s not much we can do but speculate on what might happen if the suspensions occur. With that said, let’s take a look at what the Yankee’s lineup might look like for the first 50 games of the season.

1. Ichiro Suzuki

2. Derek Jeter

3. Eduardo Nunez

4. Mark Teixeira

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. Travis Hafner

7. Juan Rivera

8. Brett Gardner

9. Chris Stewart

With Alex Rodriguez already out while recovering from hip surgery, and the Yankees using a declining Youkilis at third base, the Yankees lineup becomes multitudes weaker without Cano in it.

One can only imagine what damage this might do to the Brewers lineup which Braun has propped up over the last few years. In addition, questions will arise as to whether or not Braun was telling the truth last year when he was accused of using PEDs. Braun was given a 50 game suspension but later won his appeal.

Rumors are rumors, but if this one proves true it says a lot about the ferocity with which Bud Selig is pursuing the elimination of PEDs in Major League Baseball. This type of bulk-supsension of superstars would send a clear message to players – a message that won’t go unheard.

If MLB will suspend their golden boys, then the league surely won’t hesitate to suspend anyone else violating the PED policy.

For now, we can only wait and see.

Link to Dog and Pony Show’s original article: Source: Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, And Curtis Granderson To Be Suspended

Read Tony Consiglio’s follow up to this piece: With New Steroids Rumors, MLB May Have a Problem