2013 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[Falcon]

They can try, but if mlbpa hears a whisper of it, they'll sue..

A possibility for sure although I suspect the MLBPA will be proactive in negotiating deals with others involved than seeking litigation to draw out the process.

Michael Weiner's quotes from last week were very telling, both he and his membership seem to waiving the white flag.

[tim_m]

What i'm hearing from the MLBPA is they very well may not appeal if evidence is overwhelming against the player. So if the evidence against A-Rod is as damning as we've heard he's screwed and will not get any help from the union.

[pilferk]

They can try, but if mlbpa hears a whisper of it, they'll sue..

A possibility for sure although I suspect the MLBPA will be proactive in negotiating deals with others involved than seeking litigation to draw out the process.

Michael Weiner's quotes from last week were very telling, both he and his membership seem to waiving the white flag.

There is a big difference between appealing a suspension for a single user...which, really, is the players decision and then mlbpa decides wether or not to commit resources to support the appeal...and suing because MLB is violating an agreement in a way that sets precedent to harm the entire membership.

In relation to biogenesis, specifically, the first may be true.

In relation to MLB violating the agreement surrounding the confidentiality of the anonymous tests leaked by th Mitchell report...it probably isn't. And MLB knows it. With Braun not appealing, they now have the high ground. No sense in,losing it by pushing too hard and forcing mlbpa to take an active role against them.

[pilferk]

What i'm hearing from the MLBPA is they very well may not appeal if evidence is overwhelming against the player. So if the evidence against A-Rod is as damning as we've heard he's screwed and will not get any help from the union.

Mlbpa doesn't make the final decision...the player does.

That being said, mlbpa can decide not to commit resources to the appeal, which means the entire process is on the players dime, not the unions.

[tim_m]

Listening to espn radio right now. Apparently the way they forced Braun to take the 65 games and not appeal was by telling him if he appealed and lost it would be 100-150 games.

[pilferk]

Listening to espn radio right now. Apparently the way they forced Braun to take the 65 games and not appeal was by telling him if he appealed and lost it would be 100-150 games.

Given his situation (hurt, sucky team, more money next year, ESP over that time frame)....he should've taken it if at all guilty (or unable to mount compelling defense).

As I said, arod should take the same deal if offered it.

FYI...done for tonight. I am sick as a dog. Talk to you all more about this in the am, hopefully.

[tim_m]

Listening to espn radio right now. Apparently the way they forced Braun to take the 65 games and not appeal was by telling him if he appealed and lost it would be 100-150 games.

Given his situation (hurt, sucky team, more money next year, ESP over that time frame)....he should've taken it if at all guilty (or unable to mount compelling defense).

As I said, arod should take the same deal if offered it.

FYI...done for tonight. I am sick as a dog. Talk to you all more about this in the am, hopefully.

Agreed A-Rod should take whatever is offered and run rather then risk being banned much much longer. Feel better pilf

[tim_m]

Just saw in a news report on espn.com about Braun they mentioned A-Rod. The reporter apparently has sources that say the case against A-Rod is much stronger then it was against Braun and that A-Rod might've even interfered with the investigation. So that could get him in even more trouble. Its quite possible they could try to ban him for life.

[pilferk]

Just saw in a news report on espn.com about Braun they mentioned A-Rod. The reporter apparently has sources that say the case against A-Rod is much stronger then it was against Braun and that A-Rod might've even interfered with the investigation. So that could get him in even more trouble. Its quite possible they could try to ban him for life.

You know he appeals any sort if ban. Because, really, you have nothing to lose at that point....

I really, just from a procedural curiosity standpoint, want someone to appeal these suspensions. I don't care if its arod or someone else....but that, really, is likely the way we get the most real info on what went on.

[Falcon]

Early reports have Dustin Pedroia extended with the Sox at 7 years and just over $100 million.

It'll be interesting to see just how this effects Robinson Cano, I'm sure Jay Z and his posse (sorry, couldn't resist) just had reality slap them up side the noggin to a degree and conversely, Cashman is doing the happy dance.

[tim_m]

Just saw in a news report on espn.com about Braun they mentioned A-Rod. The reporter apparently has sources that say the case against A-Rod is much stronger then it was against Braun and that A-Rod might've even interfered with the investigation. So that could get him in even more trouble. Its quite possible they could try to ban him for life.

You know he appeals any sort if ban. Because, really, you have nothing to lose at that point....

I really, just from a procedural curiosity standpoint, want someone to appeal these suspensions. I don't care if its arod or someone else....but that, really, is likely the way we get the most real info on what went on.

Not sure its gonna be him to appeal. He's apparently trying to go the same route as Braun and negotiate a rest of the season ban because the evidence is so overwhelming. A suspension isn't imminent though.

[tim_m]

Early reports have Dustin Pedroia extended with the Sox at 7 years and just over $100 million.

It'll be interesting to see just how this effects Robinson Cano, I'm sure Jay Z and his posse (sorry, couldn't resist) just had reality slap them up side the noggin to a degree and conversely, Cashman is doing the happy dance.

Saw that. Good move for the Sox.

[pilferk]

Just saw in a news report on espn.com about Braun they mentioned A-Rod. The reporter apparently has sources that say the case against A-Rod is much stronger then it was against Braun and that A-Rod might've even interfered with the investigation. So that could get him in even more trouble. Its quite possible they could try to ban him for life.

You know he appeals any sort if ban. Because, really, you have nothing to lose at that point....

I really, just from a procedural curiosity standpoint, want someone to appeal these suspensions. I don't care if its arod or someone else....but that, really, is likely the way we get the most real info on what went on.

Not sure its gonna be him to appeal. He's apparently trying to go the same route as Braun and negotiate a rest of the season ban because the evidence is so overwhelming. A suspension isn't imminent though.

To be clear: Not suspension...BAN.

In other words, if MLB tried to institute a lifetime ban....you know he would appeal because he has nothing to lose. If he loses the appeal...he is still banned for life. Why not do it? You would be dumb not to, especially since lifetime bans mean no association with MLB at all. No jobs as a hitting instructor, no special coaching gigs at spring training, and no appearances at yanks old timers day.

If he manages a deal, that's different. Hopefully someone else will, just for curiosity sake.

[pilferk]

Early reports have Dustin Pedroia extended with the Sox at 7 years and just over $100 million.

It'll be interesting to see just how this effects Robinson Cano, I'm sure Jay Z and his posse (sorry, couldn't resist) just had reality slap them up side the noggin to a degree and conversely, Cashman is doing the happy dance.

Guess who is who (lifetime stats)

1) 303 avg, 96 hr, 466 RBI, 115 stolen bases, 371 ob%,457 slg,36.2 war

2) 308 avg, 198 hr, 784 RBI, 37 stolen bases, 354 ob%, 505 slg,42.4 war

No peeking.

Either the sox underpaid the market, or cano is overvaluing the market. Or a bit of both.

[Falcon]

ARod may go down fighting...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/07/23/alex-rodriguez-biogenesis-mlb-negotiations-suspension/2579977/

[tim_m]

ARod may go down fighting...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/07/23/alex-rodriguez-biogenesis-mlb-negotiations-suspension/2579977/

Saw that but apparently he said that before the Braun thing went down. Now that that's happened he might be more inclined to cut a deal. If they could get Braun suspended and to not appeal with the evidence they had, i would find it hard to believe Alex wouldn't do an about face if the evidence is as damning as we're hearing.

[pilferk]

Looks like arod got a second opinion...and that doc said there is no evidence of an injury in the MRI.

Arod has, reportedly, told the yanks he is ready to play and wants to be in the lineup on Friday.

Yanks are, reportedly, looking into this as a violation of the CBa because he did not notify them that he was seeking a second opinion. Apparently, though, there would be no teeth other than making him pay for the service out of pocket.

You can't make this shit up. This should be a movie of the week...

[tim_m]

Looks like arod got a second opinion...and that doc said there is no evidence of an injury in the MRI.

Arod has, reportedly, told the yanks he is ready to play and wants to be in the lineup on Friday.

Yanks are, reportedly, looking into this as a violation of the CBa because he did not notify them that he was seeking a second opinion. Apparently, though, there would be no teeth other than making him pay for the service out of pocket.

You can't make this shit up. This should be a movie of the week...

And did it will he or won't he play?

[pilferk]

Looks like arod got a second opinion...and that doc said there is no evidence of an injury in the MRI.

Arod has, reportedly, told the yanks he is ready to play and wants to be in the lineup on Friday.

Yanks are, reportedly, looking into this as a violation of the CBa because he did not notify them that he was seeking a second opinion. Apparently, though, there would be no teeth other than making him pay for the service out of pocket.

You can't make this shit up. This should be a movie of the week...

And did it will he or won't he play?

Oh this is a whole fucking soap opera.  Yanks first can't find this doctor. Then all edge he wasn't looking at the same MRI. Then all edging it was a fake MRI. Then all edging it wasn't fake, but taken later by a third party. Then backtracking on all of it.

Edit: excuse the iPad autocorrect on allege. Too lazy to fix it.

Then, the daily news gets info from somewhere that this doc was reprimanded back in feb, because he hired someone without proper credentials, who then prescribed hormones and steroids without a dea license number.

That's just some of the lowlights.

It's nuts.

[tim_m]

Yankees should just say fuck MLB dragging its feet on the steroid suspension and suspend him themselves.