Biogenesis story

mbuser   6/4/2013 8:44 PM

link

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 the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitutes 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.

The Braun suspension would be a crushing blow to his owners, obviously, and the story notes that Gio Gonzalez "was listed among Biogenesis clients, but two sources told ESPN the only substances he received from the clinic were legal." This doesn't create much in the way of useful fantasy players for most leagues, looking at the next in line on the depth chart after the prominent names. Logan Schafer, Alexi Amarista, Craig Gentry, etc.

mbuser   6/5/2013 9:44 AM

Fantasy owners could be hit hard by looming suspensions

Closing Time: MLB is about to suspend half your fantasy team

liam4  6/5/2013 3:59 PM

Hah, love the Closing Time headline. 

Sounds like latest is that suspensions are not for certain, and it'll before early July before decision is made.  Not clear how long appeals would take, Braun was four months but that was in the offseason... I imagine MLB would fast track as much as would be allowed.

In other news, Chris Perez likes dope.

jjs5010  6/6/2013 5:33 AM

Would you take a risk and buy low on Braun? If suspensions not until July, and appeals could be 4 months, could squeeze out the season with him while owners might be freaking out on the story.

mbuser   6/6/2013 11:09 AM

Sure, in that scenario you get the entire season from him. Risk/reward play at its finest. Whether or not it makes sense depends on your current standing (does it make sense because you have nothing to lose?) and what exactly buying "low" would entail.

mbuser   6/19/2013 12:12 PM

Major League Baseball has started interviewing big leaguers linked to the Miami PED investigation, and people who have spoken to MLB investigators are convinced there will be at least some suspensions handed down in the explosive case.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/22476749/suspensions-likely-as-mlb-starts-interviewing-players-in-biogenesis-probe

Another step, but not so sure that means the pace is quickening here.

mbuser   7/9/2013 4:48 PM

Commissioner Bud Selig's office is expected to suspend Braun and Rodriguez, along with as many as 20 players sometime after next week's All-Star break, several sources told "Outside the Lines." As OTL reported, MLB started building cases against the players last month after Bosch agreed to cooperate with investigators. The question is how long the suspensions will be.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9464246/ryan-braun-refused-answer-mlb-questions-biogenesis-clinic-sources-say

Could be trouble..

mbuser   7/9/2013 5:15 PM

Steve Gardner ‏@SteveAGardner 
No reason to panic even when MLB suspensions are announced. Appeals almost guaranteed, making it likely it all gets sorted out over winter

Matthew Pouliot ‏@matthewpouliot 
I don't see Braun, A-Rod, etc. being forced to serve suspensions this year. MLBPA will fight it, and things won't get sorted out til winter.

Steve Gardner ‏@SteveAGardner 
MT @EugeneFreedman: MLB-MLBPA have single grievance arbitrator. Can't hear 20 cases in 20 days & issue 20 decisions in next 25. Impossible.

mbuser   7/9/2013 6:15 PM

Tom ‏@Haudricourt 
MLB spokesman tells me ESPN report on Braun is premature and no decisions have been made. Updated blog at http://bit.ly/cGDWps

Tom ‏@Haudricourt 
MLB has no reason to leak this information on Braun, etc., before it's ready to announce suspensions. Leaks aren't coming from there.

Hailfire4   7/10/2013 12:26 AM

Most of those 20 players are minor leaguers like Peguello so those guys go straight to suspension. No union representation. I doubt the already served suspensions Grandal, Melky, Bartolo get suspended again. The double jeopardy clause. So Braun, ARod, Gentry Elverth seems to be the 4 we care about. If any challenge u can bet their arbitration hearing will be quick.  Sometimes u are just guilty. Each of these guys has TWO smoking guns. The documents sending steroids to them. Plus the doctor who actually sent them. Heck he even injected some of them onsite. Nelson Cruz is involved also.

liam4  7/10/2013 12:31 PM

thanks for the updates matt.  I traded for braun just as he went on DL, so I'm hoping I can some games out of him... lengthy appeal process please

mbuser   7/18/2013 11:40 AM

A few days late here, but wanted to add this to the thread: MLB suspensions from Biogenesis PED case may not come until 2014

mbuser   8/5/2013 1:51 PM

Suspensions came down today. The notables that were affected: Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera, Antonio Bastardo

ARod has reportedly been suspended through the end of 2014, but will appeal and can play while the appeal takes place. Expect it to be fast-tracked (and for him to lose).

Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, and Yasmani Grandal will not be suspended because of previous suspensions. Gio Gonzalez and Danny Valencia were implicated earlier but cleared.

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-08-05/alex-rodriguez-suspension-biogenesis-arod-peds-steroids-nelson-cruz

mbuser   8/5/2013 3:39 PM

Scratch that part about ARod. Looking like his appeal wouldn't be dealt with before Nov-Dec, meaning he plays out the season.

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 
MLBPA chief Michael Weiner says he doesn't see decision on A-Rod appeal until after the 2013 season ends. Likely November or December.