Yankees News & Notes: A-Rod & HGH dominates headlines…again

Not many people can dominate the headlines from a hospital bed, not that Alex Rodriguez is in a hospital bed per se, but he is recovering from major hip surgery. News coming out of Miami is that A-Rod is fighting allegations of taking performance-enhancing drugs within the past few years. Now, because of these revelations, the Yankees are looking for a way out of his mammoth contract.

“Say it ain’t so, A-Rod.” Doesn’t quite have the same ring (Image: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Tim Elfrink of the Miami New Times recently penned a story in which Anthony Bosch — owner of the Biogenesis Anti-Aging clinic in Miami — has records of A-Rod and other prominent MLB stars purchasing banned substances from him. It was only a few years ago A-Rod came clean and said he hasn’t taken these banned substances for almost decade. But, according to handwritten records from Bosch, it appears A-Rod might have dabbled in the usage of HGH, among other substances, allegedly.

A-Rod has since defended himself in an article from Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman of the New York Post. A-Rod’s spokesperson had this to say about the allegations:

"“The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true,” Citrik and company incorporated said in a statement. “Alex Rodriguez was not Mr. Bosch’s patient, he was never treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story — at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez — are not legitimate.”"

MLB officials also weighed in on the matter, reiterating their drug policy and that a full investigation will be handled:

"“We have the best and most stringent drug testing policy in professional sports, we continue to work with our doctors and trainers to learn what they are seeing day-to-day and we educate our players about the game’s unbending zero-tolerance approach.We remain fully committed to following all leads and seeking the appropriate outcomes for all those who use, purchase and are involved in the distribution of banned substances, which have no place in our game. We are in the midst of an active investigation and are gathering and reviewing information. We will refrain from further comment until this process is complete.”"

As news of this comes in, the New York Yankees are now looking for a way to void A-Rod contract, most notably is him not consulting the team before using another doctor to treat his ailments. As it stands now, he is still under contract for five years and $114 million. Voiding contracts is a tough process and one that rarely, if ever, rules in favor of the team. However, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports considers a scenario where A-Rod could find a doctor who says he’s suffering from a career-ending injury, and therefore he can collect his money and never play again.

"“The scenario would not be the same as retirement — if Rodriguez retired, he would forfeit all of his money.The Yankees, though, would be almost entirely off the hook — they would collect from insurance up to 85 percent of the money that Rodriguez is guaranteed, but only after he missed a full season, according to major league sources.”"

Rosenthal’s scenario seems a bit far-fetched, however, he does make some fair points. Most notably, how willing would A-Rod be to return if the allegations of him using banned substances the last three years were actually true? Fans and media would indeed scrutinize him to no end. But, he could collect his money and run hobble away, and both parties would be better off. That’s a dream scenario IF the allegations are true.

All in all, a handwritten record of a few star players using banned substances over the last years seems a bit flimsy and convenient. Stranger things have happened, and now many people suspect every player who has a good-to-dominate season is using some form of performance enhancing drugs. It’s a sad state of affairs, but it doesn’t surprise me anymore. If the reports are true, then good riddance to A-Rod. Not only did he lie once, but he could potentially put himself into Lance Armstrong territory with regards to public perception.