MLB Files Request To Have A-Rod Lawsuit Tossed

August 20, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez takes field in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Embattled New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is having the lawsuit he filed in federal court against both Major League Baseball and the Player’s Union challenged by attorneys representing MLB. Howard Ganz, the attorney for MLB, wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, stating that A-Rod’s claims in his lawsuit do not “come remotely close” to what is required for a court to overturn an arbitration ruling. Ganz further added in his letter:

"A court must confirm an award even when the arbitrator has offered only a barely colorable justification for the outcome reached, and even if the court considers the arbitrator’s interpretation of the contract to be plainly wrong."

Judge Ramos has set a February 14th conference date and for Rodriguez’s lawyers to respond to Ganz’s letter no later than February 7th.

Rodriguez was originally suspended for 211 games by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig for his involvement and attempts to interfere with the investigation process of his involvement with the Biogenesis Clinic in South Florida. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced A-Rod’s suspension from 211-games to 162-games including the entire 2014 postseason. A-Rod in filing suit in federal court, also named the MLBPA as a co-defendant, accusing them of “bad faith” representation, and that their presence and involvement in his arbitration hearing was “perfunctory at best.” The MLBPA will join MLB in their application to have the lawsuit dismissed.

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