Tuesday, January 29, 2013

PEDs Again?!?

The other thread was getting too long and this topic is on fire right now so a new one was necessary. Just to recap: A fake doctor Tony Bosch gets busted in Miami for running a youth and wellness clinic. In his personal records dozens of athletes are listed, this includes several Major League Baseball stars like Gio Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera (though I don't consider him a star), and of course A-Rod. All of these guys have what looks to be some sort of connection with some PED one way or another.

It is the general belief that the Yankees have no legal ground to void the remaining 5 years $114MM on A-Rod's contract. Though I'm sure they are looking into it. The investigation into Tony Bosch was with the cooperation of MLB, so all this news probably isn't really news to them, the players, or their clubs.

Players have already started releasing statements saying they have nothing to do with this guy. Now if it was A-Rod alone, I wouldn't buy it. But Gio Gonzalez was the first to issue a hard denial. A-Rod has now publicly denied any involvement. One of A-Rod's reps stated: "The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true...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.” (courtesy of NYPost.com) If more players come out and deny it, then perhaps it's just this guys big scheme to make $$ and use the names of high profile athletes to entice the "everyday" person for his services.

MLB and the commissioner will review the case and consider suspending A-Rod. One report has MLB banning him for life. I do not believe they have the legal ground to do either.

In light of the Lance Armstrong admission, if he wanted to really make a difference he would sit down and tell the testers how in detail he beat the system for the most part. A challenge with some of the substances listed in the Bosch's documents indicate the use of creams and patches. These are fast acting and fast to get through the system. If you put on cream or a patch it's in your system in the matter of minutes and leaves your system in a matter of a couple hours after it is removed. If MLB wants serious testing do it random unannounced 24/7. This includes testing before games, during games, after games, at home in the middle of the night, early morning, holidays, off-season, etc. I'm not talking about blood draws in the middle of games, but a urine test can be administered anytime and can be used to detect the testosterone in the creams and patches.

36 comments:

Crash said...

So the big buzz is that the Yankees can't void A-Rod's contract but may be able to get out of it if this hip injury is career ending.

The only problem I see with this is A-Rod's surgeon has already said it was successful and expects A-Rod to make a full recovery and be as productive as he was prior to the injury. Additionally with this angle being considered the insurance company could dispute/deny the claim because the Yankees shopped around until they found a medical opinion to meet their needs. I really can't see the Yankees getting out of this in anyway.

It would most certainly help them get under that $189 mark though.

Crash said...

Yankees are having conversation with Travis Hafner. Huge injury risk...he hasn't ever been healthy. He has only appeared in 150 games once in his career. Big bat if he can stay healthy and get ABs.

old professor said...

The other option the Yankees have is to sue A-Rod for fraud. The extension was signed after an admission of use and a statement he would not longer use. If the investigation by the commissioner's office and law enforcement can show A-Rod used, though difficult, the legal case is on. I would suspect A-Rod has played his last game for NY.

Travis Hafner is as everyone else on the team - lefthanded. Why would they look to bring him in unless it is simply for DH and the short porch.

old professor said...

Getting back to Hafner, last year he hit 228 with 12 homeruns; has not played a field position since 2007, and has averaged 85 games a year over that period. So the Yankees are interested in a guy who cannot play the field, cannot hit his weight, and misses half of the season- WOW.

Crash said...

He battled shoulder problems. If he can get healthy and the Yankees can keep him healthy I would expect better offensive numbers than Ibanez last season.

Crash said...

Juan Rivera goes 3-5 with a 2-R HR in Game 7 of the Venezuelan Winter League Championship game.

Crash said...

Mason Williams and Gary Sanchez were the only Yankee prospects to crack the MLB Network Top 50 list. Kind of hard to believe. I really think there is a heavy bias against the Yankees farm system. I think the farm is deeper than most give it credit for...there may not be a ton of true #1 ace pitchers but no one does...they seem to give more credit to the overall system if you have that 1 potential superstar. I think the Yankee system has high caliber players that will be perennial all-stars if/when they make it.

Crash said...

Deal imminent with Hafner...1 year $1.1MM range.

old professor said...

Hafner gives them the left handed batter they need at DH. I believe based on statistics, Diaz becomes the rightie DH and the fourth outfielder.

Crash said...

Hafner deal official...1 year $2MM, can make up to $6MM with incentives.

So they will this go possibly $6MM, but wouldn't even offer Ibanez a contract??? Ibanez offers more flexibility and is much less of an injury risk. They must think Hafner is healthy and going to hit 40HR again or something because this deal does not make sense from a financial perspective.

old professor said...

I am surprised by the amount being paid to Hafner. I am also surprised to hear the team is still looking for a right handed bat. How many people of the garbage heep do they plan to bring in??

Crash said...

Now that the Super Bowl is officially done...it is now baseball season. Just a week left until pitchers and catchers.

I was surprised to hear that Cashman is still looking for the right hand hitting OF...that has to make Matt Diaz & Juan Rivera feel really good right off the bat. There aren't any free agents out there, so I'm guessing Cashman is looking for a trade. Not sure they're looking for a long term deal. Probably by next Williams and/or Heathcott should be pushing for a MLB job. Austin probably the year after that.

Crash said...

Here's a list of the Yankees Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees. Some names to watch Austin, Heathcott, Culver, & Sanchez. Keep in mind these are non-roster invitees...so guys like Austin Romine, Betances, etc are on the 40 so they are not listed below.

OF: Abraham Almonte, Tyler Austin, Rob Segedin, Adonis Garcia, Slade Heathcott, Ronnier Mustelier

1B: Gregory Bird, Kyle Roller, Luuke Murton

2B: Jose Pirela, Jayson Nix

SS: Cito Culver, Addison Maruszak

C: Francisco Arcia, Gary Sanchez, Kyle Higashioka, JR Murphy

RHP: Chase Whitley, Corey Black, Preston Claiborne, Ryan Pope, Matt Daley, Brandon Pinder, Kelvin Perez, Shane Greene, Nick Goody, Mikey O'Brien, Zach Nuding, Mark Montgomery, Bryan Mitchell, Jim Miller, Tom Kahnle

LHP: Matt Tracy, Josh Spence, Juan Cedeno

Crash said...

Jeter taking more BP right now. Said to be looking good.

old professor said...

Of the listed players, these are the guys to watch: Montgomery, he had an outstanding AFL season and has apparently opened some eyes for a spot in the pen; Heathcott, has to impress this spring he was a number one pick and should be given strong consideration; Culver is at least two years away and has been touted as Jeter's eventual replacement; Sanchez will be given a long look because he is actually offensively ahead of Romine though at least two years younger. Nix will probably make the team because of last season and Girardi loyalty.

Crash said...

Montgomery is one of the organizations best pitching prospects. He's jumped ahead of guys like Betances and Banuelos.

Talking with one Yankee scout...Austin, Sanchez, Williams, and Heathcott are considered "big time prospects". Those are the guys that need to impress now as they are the guys the organization will look to in 2014 and 2015.

old professor said...

The individuals that you mention as needing to impress, are in the same boat as other prospects of the past - they need to impress, they put up good numbers and the Yankees trade them to another team for an aging past prime player.

Crash said...

Don't think that will be the case now. Cashman isn't mortgaging the farm for an aging past his prime player.

What was the last big trade Cashman made where he gave up on prospects...Montero? Yeah that looks bad at the moment because of Pineda's injury but you can't see that coming. Besides Campos is one of the organization top prospects now. Plus Cashman dealt from a position of strength, they had 3 catching prospects. Who else Curtis Granderson?

Cashman gave up Kennedy and Jackson for Granderson. I would not have done that deal, just because I think Jackson is going to be a perennial all star. But you can't argue with Granderson's numbers. Yes he strikes out a lot, but he has put up 3 good seasons for the Yankees. His last 2 seasons saw 40+ HR, 100+ R, and 100+ RBI. Been an all-start twice, finished 4th in the MVP voting one year and won the silver slugger. While I think Jackson is great, he won't do that in his career.

If the Yankees are serious about managing payroll, and putting up a contender they need to hold onto these guys and let them develop at the big leagues. They will also replenish the farm by letting top free agents go...like Granderson, Hughes, Kuroda, and Cano. Either by trade or tendering a qualifying offer to collect the draft picks.

old professor said...

You may be right about stocking from the farm. The question will be whether management is going to be patient enough to let them develop.

It will be interesting to see how collecting of draft picks will pay off. If you draft quality, the you win, if you draft mediocrity, you lose.

Crash said...

Agreed!

The latest on the A-Rod story is almost laughable...A-Rod is playing the conspiracy card, saying MLB and the Yankees are conspiring against him to ruin his career and force him out of baseball.

What an idiot. I don't know, maybe you shouldn't have been getting injections of HGH at an anti-aging clinic and no one would be conspiring anything against you.

Crash said...

St Louise Cardinal starting pitcher Chris Carpenter will not pitch this year and is most likely done with his career.

Great post-season pitcher. True ace when healthy. Cy-Young winner, 20 game winner. Cardinals are going to miss his leadership on a young pitching staff and on-field production.

Crash said...

Not sure which is more disappointing...seeing Ryan Braun attached to the anti-aging clinic, or seeing Francisco Cervelli attached to it...and even with PEDs Cervelli can't hit more than .250 and 5 HRs???

Crash said...

Rumor has the Mets offering Bourn a 4 year deal.

old professor said...

Both players (Braun and Cervelli) admit contact with the clinic, but only to have lawyers or associate check on LEGAL supplements. Cervelli specifically because of injury. Braun apparently had his attorney contact the clinic. The clinic was only one of several Cervelli admits to contactinig.

old professor said...

Oh and one additional item - if Cervelli was on PEDs, he should ask for a refund. They didn't help his hitting and definately did not help him behind the plate.

Crash said...

I buy my legal supplements from GNC or other reputable sources. Not an anti-aging clinic.

Jose Campos has completed his rehab program and is ready for spring training. Funny thing is he had the same injury as Banuelos who elected for TJ surgery in October. If Campos is fine, I guess that tells you something about the makeup of Banuelos.

Mason Williams is also close to 100% with his shoulder injury. He's expected to start the season in Tampa but should move quickly.

Crash said...

Giants release LB Michael Boley and RB Ahmad Bradshaw. I guess they liked what they saw from David Wilson.

Crash said...

The Post is suggesting that David Diehl and Corey Webster could be cut to clear salary cap room for the Giants. Corey Webster should have been cut in week 14. He's owed $7MM next season, see ya..he's going to be gone. Diehl will not be cut. He's schedule to make $4.8, but he is an Eli favorite, Eli trusts him. If Eli wants him there he's staying. you don't want to shake the confidence of your QB when it comes to the O-line.

Speculation is Cervelli will get a 50 game suspension from this Miami deal...if so do the Yankees bring up Romine or do they go garbage picking again?

old professor said...

Campos also had surgery but earlier than Banuelos so he should be ready to begin spring training, but the Yankees have made it clear they will take it slow on him anyways. In addition he is not ready for anything above AA.

As for the cuts the giants made - no big surprises. Bradshaw has been diminished because of foot issues, Canty only played in nine games and Thomas has the middle name of burnt toast.

Crash said...

Giants keep d-line Shaun Rogers and TE Bear Pascoe.

Mariners sign King Felix to a huge contract. I guess he really isn't going anywhere else anytime soon. Most for any pitcher in history, 7 years $175. This guy is still young...this long term contract puts him at free agency at the ripe old age of 33. The Yankees need this kind of young electric arm. I know it only comes once a generation but their farm has produced a true ace in years. Hard to argue with what Pettitte has done and meant to the team and fans, but he has never been a true dominant ace. He's always been that #2 or 3 guy that knows how to pitch. Hughes was supposed to be that Verlander, Hernandez type pitcher for them, he may develop into a #2 but he's not in that class.

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