Could Alex Rodriguez Be Suspended Next Year?
By Jason Evans
According to a report in the NY Post this morning, the Yankees austerity plan for $189 million could get a bit of a boost. A $26 million boost. That is the salary for Alex Rodriguez for the 2014 season. That is the salary that could be coming off the books if he is suspended.
Jul 3, 2013; Charleston, SC, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, as part of the Charleston RiverDogs, walks back to the dugout after grounding out during a rehab game against the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
According to the report, MLB suspensions for the Biogenesis scandal could come down as early as this week. Rodriguez could be suspended until the end of next season.
It’s not going to be easy for that to go through. Rodriguez will certainly appeal the suspension. He’s got $61 million coming to him from 2015-2017 and if let’s say MLB wants to suspend him for life instead, he could take a deal to just be suspended next year to get that money back.
Rodriguez has a team of lawyers and public relations people to help him to try and fight it.
Could this be part of the reason why the Yankees have been taking his rehab process so slowly? If they know he’s going to be suspended then why rush his return?
This week is going to be very telling for Rodriguez and the Yankees not only for next season, for the next few. If Rodriguez is suspended they can take that money and put it back toward improving the team. There are plenty of holes to fill on this roster and they need to get younger and clearly that money will help in doing that.
The free agent market isn’t exactly strong, however the money can be used on Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson and some trades.
We could get some clarity on the Rodriguez suspension this week. Or we could be in for one long, long process.