MLB seeks to suspend A-Rod, Braun

[dhornjr1]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9301536/major-league-baseball-suspend-20-players-including-alex-rodriguez-ryan-braun-part-miami-investigation

Looks like the fit is about to hit the shan for some players.

By T.J. Quinn, Pedro Gomez and Mike Fish | ESPN.com

Major League Baseball will seek to suspend about 20 players connected to the Miami-area clinic at the heart of an ongoing performance-enhancing drug scandal, including Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun, possibly within the next few weeks, "Outside the Lines" has learned. If the suspensions are upheld, the performance-enhancing drug scandal would be the largest in American sports history.

Tony Bosch, founder of the now-shuttered Biogenesis of America, reached an agreement this week to cooperate with MLB's investigation, two sources told "Outside the Lines," giving MLB the ammunition officials believe they need to suspend the players.

One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is that the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another. Bosch and his attorneys did not return several calls. MLB officials refused to comment when reached Tuesday.

Bosch is expected to begin meeting with officials -- and naming names -- within a week. The announcement of suspensions could follow within two weeks.

Investigators have had records naming about 20 players for more than a month. But without a sworn statement from Bosch that the records are accurate and reflect illicit interactions between the players and the self-described biochemist, the documents were little more than a road map.

Sources did not say what other materials, such as receipts and phone records, Bosch might provide, but said he has pledged to provide anything in his possession that could help MLB build cases against the players. Sources said MLB officials were not sure how many players may end up being pulled into the scandal: the 20 or so they know of have been identified through paperwork, but Bosch is expected to provide more. (Because some players are listed by their names and some by code names, officials are not yet certain whether some are redundant.)

The development is a major break for MLB, which has pursued the case vigorously since Bosch's name was brought to MLB's attention last summer. In exchange for Bosch's full cooperation, sources said, Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March; indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation; provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that may bring charges against him. Sources said negotiations over the agreement, which lasted several weeks, stalled over the last point, as Bosch wanted the strongest assurances he could get that MLB would help mitigate any prosecution.

At the same time, MLB is trying to secure the cooperation of at least two other former Bosch associates who have spoken to MLB investigators, as well as a man named Juan Carlos Nunez, a registered agent who worked for longtime agents Seth and Sam Levinson, who is believed to have been a conduit between Bosch and numerous players.

MLB has already established precedent to suspend a player for two offenses in one shot: minor league player Cesar Carrillo was hit with a 100-game suspension in March when he was confronted with Biogenesis documents containing his name and then denied having any connection to Bosch or the clinic.

Because Carrillo was on a minor league contract, however, and thus not a member of the MLB Players' Association, he was not entitled to an appeal through arbitration. Major League players accused by MLB are expected to fight any suspension, and efforts to charge the players with multiple offenses would bring that fight to another level. In the appeals process, players are allowed to confront witnesses and evidence in a courtroom-like procedure before an arbitration panel.

Corroborating evidence against some players could prove difficult to come by, however. Several sources told ESPN Bosch dealt only in cash, and usually used friends as couriers, sometimes never seeing some of the athletes he served.

In a recent interview with ESPN, his only one since the scandal broke, Bosch said he knew nothing about performance-enhancing drugs, and that media accounts of his PED distribution amounted to "character assassination."

"I have been accused, tried and convicted in the media. And so I think have been falsely accused throughout the media," he told ESPN's Pedro Gomez. "I've done nothing wrong."

But sources said Bosch has been feeling pressure from both the MLB lawsuit, which claims tortious interference, and a potential criminal investigation, and that he sees full cooperation with MLB as one of his only refuges. Several attorneys have said they don't think the lawsuit could survive a legal challenge, but Bosch likely would have to put up a costly fight in order to have the case dismissed. Several sources have told ESPN that Bosch is nearly broke, living alternately with family members and friends, and has tried unsuccessfully so far to revive his "wellness" business.

The Florida State Department of Health recently said it had sent Bosch a cease-and-desist letter and referred the case to law enforcement. MLB has tried to enlist the DEA, but no sources close to the clinic said they have been interviewed by any law enforcement agents and don't know of anyone who has been.

MLB officials, though, traveled to Miami last month to take the deposition of anti-aging specialist Dr. Daniel Carpman, a former acquaintance of Bosch's. Biogenesis documents from 2011 included prescription forms purportedly signed by Carpman, who previously told "Outside the Lines'' that he didn't sign the forms.

Bosch first came to MLB's attention in 2009 after Manny Ramirez, then with the Los Angeles Dodgers, tested positive for testosterone. While Ramirez appealed that finding, MLB officials discovered a prescription in Ramirez' medical file for human chorionic gonadotropin, another banned substance. The HCG prescription, which was sufficient evidence to suspend Ramirez, was written by Dr. Pedro Bosch, Tony's father, but sources said at the time that Tony Bosch had actually been facilitating Ramirez' drug use. MLB tried to get the DEA involved, but the agency took a pass. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games, and was suspended a second time for 100 games in 2011 after he failed another test.

Tony Bosch resurfaced last summer after several players, all with connections to the Miami area, tested positive for testosterone: Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon and YasmaniGrandal. All received 50-game suspensions. When an ESPN reporter asked MLB officials about information that all three might have been connected to Tony Bosch, MLB launched an investigation, sending several members of its Department of Investigations to South Florida, where they have repeatedly visited former Biogenesis employees and Bosch associates, even paying at least one $5,000 for information.

Braun's name appears on at least two documents, one which lists him as owing $20,000 to $30,000, another which says he owed $1,500 for what sources said were PEDs. Braun issued a statement saying the larger figure was to pay Bosch for consulting on his successful appeal, and denied ever receiving or using PEDs. During his interview with ESPN, Bosch said he only consulted with Braun, but sources said he is expected to tell MLB he did provide the Milwaukee star with drugs.

MLBPA officials have negotiated with their MLB counterparts to offer limited cooperation from the players but have been concerned that the players could expose themselves to further liability.

Bosch's claims that he never distributed PEDs are sharply at odds with accounts from numerous sources who say he helped provide banned substances to possibly dozens of athletes. They also contradict paperwork that several sources said was hand-written by Bosch. Shown a list of athletes who allegedly received PEDs through Biogenesis, Bosch told ESPN's Pedro Gomez, "No comment. I have never seen that in my life." The list was one of dozens of documents obtained by "Outside the Lines," and is similar to the documents in MLB's possession.

Some paperwork, taken from company computers rather than Bosch's hand-written notes, list players by code names. Most, like Rodriguez, Colon, Cabrera and others, have been identified in press reports, but MLB will want Bosch to say who the code names represented.

Also sure to be on MLB's list of questions is whether the Yankees' Robinson Cano, who could sign a lucrative free agent contract after this season, had any connection to Bosch or the clinic. The spokeswoman for Cano's foundation, Sonia Cruz, was listed in Biogenesis documents, as ESPN reported, and MLB officials have investigated whether she might have been a conduit for Cano.

The players who might ultimately face discipline from MLB include: Rodriguez, Braun, Cabrera, Colon, Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, CesarPuello, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautini de los Santos, Jordan Norberto, and a number of players who are either identified by code names or whose names appear in other documents not obtained by "Outside the Lines." All are currently on major-league rosters but for Puello, a top outfield prospect for the New York Mets who is playing in Class AA Binghamton.

One player listed who will be scrutinized but possibly exonerated is the Nationals' Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was listed among Biogenesis clients, but two sources told ESPN that the only substances he received from the clinic were legal.

[pigture perfect]

Ryan Braun was so arrogant last year after he won his suspension appeal. I hope they blow that sucker up.

[dhornjr1]

Ryan Braun was so arrogant last year after he won his suspension appeal. I hope they blow that sucker up.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[clutch]

Ryan Braun was so arrogant last year after he won his suspension appeal. I hope they blow that sucker up.

From everything I have heard, they are looking to hit Braun, ARod, and Melky with 100 game suspensions.

I think ARod will retire. Really hope Cano comes out clean. I can't stand the Yankees, but I'm a fan of Cano. I seriously doubt that happens though.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Braun is the only non-Hispanic name on that entire list.  I'm sure that has a lot to do with this clinic being based in Miami, but still...  I think it shows just how desperate many of these players who grew up in poverty are to get out of it and stay out of it.

[ucahogfan]

From everything I have heard, they are looking to hit Braun, ARod, and Melky with 100 game suspensions.

I think ARod will retire. Really hope Cano comes out clean. I can't stand the Yankees, but I'm a fan of Cano. I seriously doubt that happens though.

Melky has already been suspended once for PED use.  If they get the two-fer this time, it is bye bye Melky.

Braun should get 100 games.  He got away once on a technicality and never denied PED use.  He should have already been through a 50 game suspension.

A-Rod is an interesting case.  He admitted to PED use in 2003, but that was when it was legal.  They will try and go after 100 games on him as well.

I really like Cano as well.  Hope he comes out clean, but you will never hear me complain if the Yankees suffer.

The MLB is going to run into some problems with the union as the articled stated.  The MLB is looking at issuing at least 1,000 games of suspension (20 players X 50 games) all on the word of some guy.

[clutch]

Melky has already been suspended once for PED use.  If they get the two-fer this time, it is bye bye Melky.

Braun should get 100 games.  He got away once on a technicality and never denied PED use.  He should have already been through a 50 game suspension.

A-Rod is an interesting case.  He admitted to PED use in 2003, but that was when it was legal.  They will try and go after 100 games on him as well.

I really like Cano as well.  Hope he comes out clean, but you will never hear me complain if the Yankees suffer.

The MLB is going to run into some problems with the union as the articled stated.  The MLB is looking at issuing at least 1,000 games of suspension (20 players X 50 games) all on the word of some guy.

Looks like they are saying with Braun and ARod that it will be 50 games for PED's and 50 games for lying to officials about the use of PED's. So they are really trying hard to get their 100 games from them.

Melky might as well hang it up. I think he's somewhat proved that he NEEDS them to be anything above average.

[GolfNut57]

A-Rod is an interesting case.  He admitted to PED use in 2003, but that was when it was legal. 

IIRC steroids have never been legal in baseball. They just never had the rules in place regarding the punishments for them or the means of detecting the drug use established for PEDs.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

IIRC steroids have never been legal in baseball. They just never had the rules in place regarding the punishments for them or the means of detecting the drug use established for PEDs.

I think you're correct, and that's one of the biggest pieces of evidence supporting Bud Selig's reign as Commissioner as possibly the worst in history.  He was totally asleep at the wheel when evidence began to mount about PED use (McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, etc.), then put a drug testing program in place only when the whole world knew what was going on.  Once in place, he declares that baseball is clean now.  Well, we're seeing now what a doofus he is. 

[clutch]

I think you're correct, and that's one of the biggest pieces of evidence supporting Bud Selig's reign as Commissioner as possibly the worst in history.  He was totally asleep at the wheel when evidence began to mount about PED use (McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, etc.), then put a drug testing program in place only when the whole world knew what was going on.  Once in place, he declares that baseball is clean now.  Well, we're seeing now what a doofus he is. 

He wasn't asleep at the wheel, he was just turning his head so he didn't see it. Like it or not, steroids were GREAT for baseball when it was all kept a secret. Homeruns were flying all over the country and the fans were flocking to see them. Only once somebody decided to point out what was really going on did it become a big problem.

The MLB knew what was going on, the coaches knew what was going on, the media knew what was going on, and most of the fans knew deep down what was going on. Nobody cared though. Once the media decided to change their tune on the issue it became a problem.

[clutch]

IIRC steroids have never been legal in baseball. They just never had the rules in place regarding the punishments for them or the means of detecting the drug use established for PEDs.

They weren't legal in baseball only because they were illegal period. It wasn't against baseball rules to use them, just against the law to use them as they were being used. So technically I guess they weren't really allowed since players aren't supposed to use substances that are against the law.

There were no rules saying that the players couldn't take them though. I'm guessing the punishment would have been similar to that of a player getting caught using your everyday street drugs.

[Hawg Balling]

Ryan Braun was so arrogant last year after he won his suspension appeal. I hope they blow that sucker up.

No kidding.  Working to clear your name is one thing, but he went after the collector and effectively trashed his name, integrity, and career. 

Like Buster Olney said, Braun's antics 2 years ago coupled with this news have effectively made him the Lance Armstrong of baseball in that he went to extreme and vindictive measures to destroy others to his benefit.

[dhornjr1]

He wasn't asleep at the wheel, he was just turning his head so he didn't see it. Like it or not, steroids were GREAT for baseball when it was all kept a secret. Homeruns were flying all over the country and the fans were flocking to see them. Only once somebody decided to point out what was really going on did it become a big problem.

The MLB knew what was going on, the coaches knew what was going on, the media knew what was going on, and most of the fans knew deep down what was going on. Nobody cared though. Once the media decided to change their tune on the issue it became a problem.

Man, you nailed it. Back in the day, I wrote a paper in college saying exactly what you wrote here.

+1

[clutch]

No kidding.  Working to clear your name is one thing, but he went after the collector and effectively trashed his name, integrity, and career. 

Like Buster Olney said, Braun's antics 2 years ago coupled with this news have effectively made him the Lance Armstrong of baseball in that he went to extreme and vindictive measures to destroy others to his benefit.

That turned out to be Braun's biggest mistake. He really pissed baseball off when he went to extremes to make them look bad. Now he will have to pay for that.

[pigture perfect]

That turned out to be Braun's biggest mistake. He really pissed baseball off when he went to extremes to make them look bad. Now he will have to pay for that.

you're right. It's like biting the hand that feeds you. Don't screw with the league.

[clutch]

you're right. It's like biting the hand that feeds you. Don't screw with the league.

Nope. This whole situation pretty much all boils down to Braun. They've been out to get him ever since. Their search led them to this. Just so happened to be some other big names in the mix.

[Hawg Balling]

That turned out to be Braun's biggest mistake. He really pissed baseball off when he went to extremes to make them look bad. Now he will have to pay for that.

you're right. It's like biting the hand that feeds you. Don't screw with the league.

Nope. This whole situation pretty much all boils down to Braun. They've been out to get him ever since. Their search led them to this. Just so happened to be some other big names in the mix.

Braun's stupidity/arrogance is almost astonishing.  If you use PED's, get caught, win your appeal by calling into question the collector and collection process and end up royally pissing off the league in doing so, don't go and use PED's again.  But as I type that, I guess my question would be whether Bosch's files on Braun are old (i.e. around the time of his failed test) or closer to the present.  If they're from around the time of the failed test, he just ended up getting caught because they were finally able to link him to the original substance aside from a failed test.  If they're newer, he's probably the stupidest human being on the planet.  If you fail a PED test but win your appeal, any approach other than "whew, that was a close one. I'm never doing that again" is sheer stupidity and arrogance.

[clutch]

Braun's stupidity/arrogance is almost astonishing.  If you use PED's, get caught, win your appeal by calling into question the collector and collection process and end up royally pissing off the league in doing so, don't go and use PED's again.  But as I type that, I guess my question would be whether Bosch's files on Braun are old (i.e. around the time of his failed test) or closer to the present.  If they're from around the time of the failed test, he just ended up getting caught because they were finally able to link him to the original substance aside from a failed test.  If they're newer, he's probably the stupidest human being on the planet.  If you fail a PED test but win your appeal, any approach other than "whew, that was a close one. I'm never doing that again" is sheer stupidity and arrogance.

Either way he's an idiot. You don't poke the bear with a stick. It will turn around and bite you.

[Hawg Balling]

Either way he's an idiot. You don't poke the bear with a stick. It will turn around and bite you.

Or in Braun's case, if you poke the bear with a stick and then successfully run away from him when he chases you, don't go back into a bear-infested forest a year later and eat honey in an empty bear den. 

[clutch]

Or in Braun's case, if you poke the bear with a stick and then successfully run away from him when he chases you, don't go back into a bear-infested forest a year later and eat honey in an empty bear den. 

Even better.