An arbitrator reduced Alex Rodruiguez's MLB PED suspension to 162 games, or in the entire 2014 season. As a result, A-Rod will lose approximately $25 million in salary.
But don't feel sorry for him. After 2014 season, the Yankees still owe him $61 million in base salary and up to $30 million in incentives for home run mile stones over 660 (which he is currently 6 HR shy). One suspects that within a year, the Yankees were merely cut A-Rod and have all that dead money on their balance sheet for the next four years. It is also highly unlikely that any other team will then pick up an injured, old and tainted third baseman.
Rodriguez vows to appeal the ruling, even though he did not personally testify or refute the charges. He claims that the MLB star witness was a biased and uncredible witness. But that is not what the arbitrator found. Rodriguez tried to mount more of a public relations defense than a legal one. Recall, he admitted in interviews several years ago he used steroids after receiving the first big contract with the Rangers due to the pressure to perform. The Biogenesis matter made Rodriguez a multiple-drug policy cheater in the eyes of MLB. One of the most outrageous statement he made was that Bud Selig was out to get him, and conspiring with the Yankees to take food out of his family's mouths. As referenced above, even if A-Rod does not play another game, he will be extremely well paid.
Which is part of the dark lining in the PED cloud. Cheaters, even when caught, still get to reap the rewards of their cheating. In order to get big money, life altering contracts players are tempted to cheat and enhance their performance (legally or illegally). Once they have signed the big money deal, the money is guaranteed. So even with the harsh penalty of a year long ban, the temptation is still there for players to get around the testing.
The designer drug merchants are always one step ahead of the testing facilities and professional sports collective bargaining agreements. It is doubtful the players union will ever agree to a lifetime ban (and forfeiture of the balance due on a player's guaranteed contract) if a player is caught cheating multiple times.
A-Rod will not go quietly because he craved the limelight. MLB and Yankees management just want him to go away. But this circus will last for at least another two years.
