Alex Rodriguez hasn't taken the field for the New York Yankees at any point during the 2013 season.
Recovering from arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum sustained in 2012 and a Grade 1 quad strain suffered during a Minor League rehab game earlier this month, the 38-year-old third baseman's only goal is to get back to the big leagues and help the Yankees win a championship. As numerous reports indicate however, A-Rod may not get that opportunity.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, the 14-time All-Star has reportedly been offered a deal from Major League Baseball for a lesser penalty regarding his alleged steroid use, something the LA Times says MLB has evidence of.
Baseball officials have told Rodriguez they are preparing to suspend him, without pay, for the remainder of the 2013 season and all of 2014, the New York Daily News was first to report.
If he accepts the suspension without appeal, he would be eligible to return in 2015. But if he fights the penalty, the Daily News said, baseball would seek a lifetime ban.
An answer from Rodriguez is expected soon.
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Though the reported deal from Major League Baseball may seem like the appropriate move for Rodriguez to make in order to avoid a very realistic lifetime ban, Andrew Marchand of ESPN indicates that Rodriguez and his lawyer plan on fighting any suspension or banishment from professional baseball.
"We are focused on an appeal," attorney David Cornwell said. "Alex's primary focus right now is playing baseball. It has been nearly a year since he played. He has gone through his operation. There is no amount of rehab games or simulated games that is going to give him the feel of a live blitz at a major league baseball level. That is where Alex's primary focus is right now."
While the MLB could suspend Rodriguez based on the league's drug rules, the possibility of suspending the three-time American League MVP under MLB's collective bargaining agreement is a possibility as well, according to Sports Illustrated.
Because A-Rod has never been reprimanded for any drug offenses in the past, he is entitled to an automatic stay if the MLB Players' association files a grievance under the Joint Drug Agreement.
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CBS Sports notes that if Major League Baseball feels Rodriguez violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league is within its rights to keep the player off the field as opposed to waiting for an appeals process to be completed.
Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law.
The Yankees expect Rodriguez to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, of attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and of not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada.
In 19 professional seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, Rodriguez has put together brilliant numbers, although many have been wondering how tainted the former shortstops accomplishments are.
With a career .300 batting average, 647 home runs, 1,950 runs batted in and 2,901 hits, Rodriguez is statistically one of the greatest players in MLB history, but thanks to breaking news regarding his alleged drug use, these numbers may not look so great down the road.
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