In each generation, there is a new wave of baseball players at the major league level. In many eras, the wave matched the new immigration patterns in American society.
The present wave of new ballplayers are from Latin America. The Hispanic population in the United States is the fastest growing segment.
Teams have been scouting international players like gold miners in the 1850s. Players in poorer nations could be signed for less money than college or American high school players. But even that is shifting with the new CBA rules.
There is a new culture coming to American baseball based upon the influx of foreign talent. One has to consider that in many foreign countries, steroids, HGH and PEDs are not illegal or regulated substances as they are here in the United States. As such, young players in the Dominican, Venezuela, Mexico, etc. have access to performance enhancing drugs. It may become part of their work routine. Because just as a major league salary is a life changing economic event, a mere $50,000 signing bonus can be a life changing event for a poor family in the Caribbean. The incentive is the same in both places: teams value performance.
In the Biogenesis suspensions, the vast majority of players were foreign Hispanic players. This is not to say that other ethic groups in sports do not use PEDs. There was a clear concentration of Hispanic baseball players using the Biogenesis clinic. In some ways, it is not surprising. Men in similar cultures will congregate together including off-season work outs. Living in Miami makes sense because it is the flight hub to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bud Selig thought he had put enough fear of god in players after the first wave of steroid scandal which had the McGwires finally admit their cheating. But Selig underestimated the new culture that would surge into the majors from foreign soil This wave of Latin players brought with them their culture of PED use.
All players, and their agents, should know the drug testing rules. Ignorance is no defense. That is why MLB went so hard on Alex Rodriguez. Remember, A-Rod made a public admission that he briefly used steroids early in his career, but claimed he did not use it when he reached star status with Texas and the Yankees. Clearly, MLB disagrees. Rodriguez's press conference in Chicago was a farce. He had a chance to deny the charges, but declined to do so - - - instead hiding behind "the process."
The process will be arbitration. MLB wants the 211 game ban to stand as a deterrent to all players. A-Rod wants to continue playing because a) his career is winding down and b) he is 13 home runs away from a $6 million contract bonus for tying Willie Mays in career home runs. The Yankees would rather not pay Rodriguez any more money on his contract. But only a lifetime ban could void the contract (which is a third positive test under the current rules).
Most likely the arbitrator will look at the punishment schedule in the CBA and reduce A-Rod's suspension to 100 games for a second offense. He will probably play out this season and come close to his bonus HR number. He will have to sit out 3/4 of next season. At 39, it will be harder for him to compete at a high level if his body continues to break down with injuries.
This whole scandal gives baseball another black eye. But it will probably not stop the use of PEDs in the sport because the player incentive for million dollar contracts and bonus payments is too much of a temptation in relation to the current penalties.
