Major League Baseball announced the suspensions of 13 players on Monday for their involvement in the Biogenesis/PED scandal. As expected, that list was headlined by New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez. Twelve players were suspended for 50 games each while A-Rod has been banned through the 2014 season.
Rodriguez can and will appeal. During the appeal, he will be allowed to continue to play. Rodriguez’ lengthy suspension was a result of use “over the course of multiple years” according to commissioner Bud Selig. Meanwhile, the other 12 players (Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera, Antonio Bastardo, Francisco Cervelli, Jordany Valdespin, Jesus Montero, Cesar Puello, Sergio Escalona, Fernando Martinez, Fautino De Los Santos, and Jordan Norberto) accepted 50-game suspensions, giving up the right to appeal.
The real question will be how this affects the Yankees the rest of this year and in 2014. As Buck Showalter recently opined, the Rodriguez suspension could actually help New York if they can get out of paying the $25 million he’s owed next season. He’s still a capable player, but hardly worth the amount of money he’s owed still on his contract. There’s little question that being able to void that much money in 2014 would help the Yanks.
One thing’s for certain – the third baseman will get some kind of rough reception tonight in Chicago when he’s in the lineup against the White Sox.
