Braun Suspended For Rest Of 2013 Season

[Outlaw]

It appears that MLB interviewed Braun already, on June 29th and he refused to cooperate or answer questions. He is presently declining comment. ESPN is reporting suspensions are coming late next week right after AS game. IMO, as I have written before, and from some people I know and from following the court case and filings, MLB has the goods on all of them.

Bruan Not cooperating or a willingness to answer questions by MLB directly contradicts what he stated in public when he issued his only comment that he would fully cooperate back in March or so. Arod cooperates he gets 50/100 games, Bruan if they show his PEDS use goes back years and not willing to cooperate and tell the truth or answer questions- lifetime ban.

Im hearing 15-30 players getting suspended and a slew of minor leaguers also.

[Outlaw]

Arod is on deck, batting first this coming Friday in Tampa. It is being reported at least 10 players invoked the equivalent of Taking the 5th when they were interviewed by MLB. I believe McGwire took the 5th, but his was when it counted, under oath in Congress and we all know how that turned out - a disgraced, lying cheat, who now regrets what he did and could not at the time be accused of lying. It also appears that quite a few players did cooperate.

Would not be surprised if AROD cuts a deal, along the lines of 50 games for his cooperation/corroboration of facts. He would possibly spin it as he told the truth, again, hoping to minimize the damage with all the other players and hoping some team allows him to play in the future. I cannot see him in a Yankee uniform again if he did anything. It is interesting that his 20 game Rehab window ends on July 22 after which the Yanks would have to make a decision on him, but one that could be quite easy if he is suspended by that date. It's interesting too they are not letting him anywhere near the Double and Triple A teams like Jeter is for rehab. Should be interesting to see what Arod is doing the few days after he meets with MLB. I wonder why Texas signed Manny too... and the Padres traded for Ciriaco, just saying... Funny how a lot of the suspected PEDs players have been injured this season off and on.

Lots of possible ways this whole thing plays out, but telling the truth is the best course for any of them IMO to limit thier penalties. They need look no further then Melky, Colon, Ruiz, Grandal, Byrd, etc...

AROD is not cutting a deal. I believe he will try to come back from his injury, try to play and not succeed, then retire before any suspension takes place. The Yankees win, by losing most of his contract to insurance, and AROD gets paid and doesnt have to worry about a suspension. Braun will fight until the end, we all know that... Byrd faces 100 games and his success this season means he is not going to give in easily. What is any players' motivation to admit to this?

Whats the motivation- 50 games and move on next season for millions more in salaries, just like the 5 players I mentioned. If they fight, they end up like Canseco, Bonds, Palmiero and anyone else who fought and utlimatley lied, that being no team will ever touch them or let them play for them.

[Rainiers]

You really think appeals would be heard in under a month? thats funny...

I do because they must be heard within I believe, its 20 days per the CBA and that's not to say if there are any appeals, that they are not heard almost immediately. That would put the appeals being concluded as early as mid August. Also MLB will not be wanting to string this out anywhere close to the post season. I also believe very few, if any will appeal, but that is just my opinion.

There is at least one suspect with a great deal of motivation to appeal. Nelson Cruz doesn't become an unrestricted free agent until September, if he is suspended he won't become a free agent until next year, costing him millions. He likely will fight until he gains free agency if MLB tries to suspend him earlier.

I agree that many players who get suspended won't likely appeal, but who of significance to fantasy baseball will be suspended and not appeal? I can't think of anyone of great importance. I believe Braun and Cruz both appeal, Arod is irrelevant, and Melky and Colon avoid getting suspended a second time. Those are the big names I've heard mentioned. Are there other game changers like them that are involved?

[Outlaw]

You really think appeals would be heard in under a month? thats funny...

I do because they must be heard within I believe, its 20 days per the CBA and that's not to say if there are any appeals, that they are not heard almost immediately. That would put the appeals being concluded as early as mid August. Also MLB will not be wanting to string this out anywhere close to the post season. I also believe very few, if any will appeal, but that is just my opinion.

There is at least one suspect with a great deal of motivation to appeal. Nelson Cruz doesn't become an unrestricted free agent until September, if he is suspended he won't become a free agent until next year, costing him millions. He likely will fight until he gains free agency if MLB tries to suspend him earlier.

I agree that many players who get suspended won't likely appeal, but who of significance to fantasy baseball will be suspended and not appeal? I can't think of anyone of great importance. I believe Braun and Cruz both appeal, Arod is irrelevant, and Melky and Colon avoid getting suspended a second time. Those are the big names I've heard mentioned. Are there other game changers like them that are involved?

I'm hearing 1-2 other unknown big names, I got my own ideas on who, as I wrote 6 weeks ago, but I'm not saying who becuase they are not out there publically. All I know, IMO it will be a shock to eveyrone if true. I also think there could be at least 10 very good players part of this. Take a look at the list of 100 or so players that Aces Agency represents....

[Outlaw]

As I wrote last month, the union has been involved in most, if not all of the different player and witness interviews/meetings as well as attorneys, and it's my belief all the news leaks are coming from that side and not directly from MLB sources. For the players who did not cooperate, I'm sure MLB did not give them much information. I also hear that the Union did attend some of the meetings and depositions of guys like Bosch and his co horts and other witnesses so they have had plenty of access to the progress and supposed evidence.

[Outlaw]

Reports saying Arod will take the MLB 5th also. So much for him having an explanation. I Hope him and Bruan appeal, so the full story comes out and they are proved to be the cheats they are. Remember Bruans Hammy/calf injury from a few seasons ago, that he came back super quick from, seems him and Tony B were good friends back then....

[Hells Satans]

Wake me up when someone actually misses a game for a Biogenesis related suspension

[Red Sox Nation-]

Wake me up when someone actually misses a game for a Biogenesis related suspension

+1

[BK METS]

Wake me up when someone actually misses a game for a Biogenesis related suspension

Agreed

[Outlaw]

Wake me up when someone actually misses a game for a Biogenesis related suspension

+1

Dont sleep this weekend then, as MLB may be considering announcing before the all star game, so the players involved do not attend the AS game. They are reportedly upset this story broke today... hope you have FAAB money left...

[KJ Duke]

I'm hearing 1-2 other unknown big names, I got my own ideas on who, as I wrote 6 weeks ago, but I'm not saying who becuase they are not out there publically.

I see one perfectly-named ACES client to get snared ... Dustin ***roia.

[Outlaw]

So much for cooperating, Bruans statement below from Feb 6th.... He's just like all the other liars and cheaters like Armstrong, McGwire, Arod, Bonds, and the rest of them. And to think that Bonds guy, Greg Anderson, spent almost 18 months in jail to not "tell" how he supplied Bonds and the other players at that time. I guess the suppliers learned their lesson..... better cooperate.... I would not be surprised if MLB turns over a lot or all of what they have, over to the Feds at sometime in the future.... Last I knew dealing and buying is still a crime for these types of drugs....


Feb 6th Statement from Bruan:

"Braun said he will welcome any investigation into his relationship with Bosch."

"During the course of preparing for my successful appeal last year, my attorneys, who were previously familiar with Tony Bosch, used him as a consultant. More specifically, he answered questions about T/E ratio and possibilities of tampering with samples.

"There was a dispute over compensation for Bosch's work, which is what my lawyer and I listed under 'moneys owed' and not on any other list.

"I have nothing to hide and have never had any other relationship with Bosch.

"I will fully cooperate with any inquiry into this matter."

[Ando]

Wake me up when someone actually misses a game for a Biogenesis related suspension

+1

Dont sleep this weekend then, as MLB may be considering announcing before the all star game, so the players involved do not attend the AS game. They are reportedly upset this story broke today... hope you have FAAB money left...

FAAB money for whom? Logan Schafer? Engel Beltre? David Adams?

[Outlaw]

Ando wrote: FAAB money for whom? Logan Schafer? Engel Beltre? David Adams?

Well, Manny being Manny is on his way back... he can replace Cruz... Ironic, it could happen, the guy who got suspended for taking PEDS from Tony B 4 years ago, replacing Cruz... you cannot make this this stuff up...

Maybe the Twins will bring up Buxton in September or even earliar...

[Navel Lint]

Outlaw,

I appreciate all the work you have put into this topic.

I'm not sure how accurate ALL the information you have posted is, and I know you have interspersed a lot of personal opinion mixed in with cut/paste articles from the web; but at this point I would much rather read what you are posting instead of going to the Chicago Tribune for information. I feel better informed because of it.

So keep up the good work and keep adding your opinion, and I'll keep reading and evaluating the overall story from my own perspective.

[Outlaw]

Outlaw,

I appreciate all the work you have put into this topic.

I'm not sure how accurate ALL the information you have posted is, and I know you have interspersed a lot of personal opinion mixed in with cut/paste articles from the web; but at this point I would much rather read what you are posting instead of going to the Chicago Tribune for information. I feel better informed because of it.

So keep up the good work and keep adding your opinion, and I'll keep reading and evaluating the overall story from my own perspective.

Thanks Naval. My interest is as a fan who finally wants this 20 year old problem cleaned up. Yes a lot of it is my opinion, but a lot of it is fact too. I have followed the court case since it was filed, there is a lot of info there and its not a reach to figure things out. OTL has done a lot of investigative work, and the rest of the press interprets off of what they have reported and generally they mix in thier own misinformed opinions. I have a few friends in baseball who also have thier opinions and generally they have been right on so far on what's been occurring. Most of us here all have a fantasy team and we all make decisions on our teams based on information. I do get a little wired up when the tone of some who opine is to protect the players, but hey, that's their opinion too and I respect that. If you are not interested and you feel that this issue has no affect on the Fantasy season, that's fine and just ignore this issue. I tend to think though that most fantasy owners follow this closely and as you said, draw thier own conclusions on how it relates to thier fantasy teams. One of my favorite sayings is, "Everything is predictable" if one pays attention and is open to all possibilities.

[CASS]

I'm pulling hard for the players and this in no way is fantasy related. I have no players on the suspected list on any team so it would only benefit me if guys do get suspended. MLB acts when it's in their favor and best interests. They turn a blind eye when the game needs a boost (Sosa/Big Mac/Bonds) and then they act all high and mighty when public interest becomes to intense vs PED's. Don't be fooled by Selig and his cast of clowns....this is not about 'cleaning up the game'....u've been duped if you believe that.

[Outlaw]

I'm pulling hard for the players and this in no way is fantasy related. I have no players on the suspected list on any team so it would only benefit me if guys do get suspended. MLB acts when it's in their favor and best interests. They turn a blind eye when the game needs a boost (Sosa/Big Mac/Bonds) and then they act all high and mighty when public interest becomes to intense vs PED's. Don't be fooled by Selig and his cast of clowns....this is not about 'cleaning up the game'....u've been duped if you believe that.

I like to believe that finally they (ALL the clean players) finally want the game cleaned up. As for being duped, yeah, I have been, we all have been, for 20 years and more, by the cheating players. The rules have been there forever, they choose to cheat... not the owners, not Selig, not the baseball gods...

Let me ask you one question? If these players did cheat and use PEDS and the "proof" exisits- what should MLB do to them or should they not do anything?

[Hells Satans]

Apparently, one arbitrator will hear all of the appeals. Assuming that 20-25 players are suspended, this is going to take months. To the extent that MLB has a say in scheduling, you can be certain that they will save Braun and any other high-profile players till the end. Just like any government investigation, MLB will attack where they have the most evidence in an attempt to flip certain players that will support Bosch's story.

[CASS]

1st of all let's see the "proof". Sorry if i don't believe complete losers who are getting paid for immunity...if legit proof exists they will get a 50 game ban as 1st time offenders after what will be a nice long appeals process. You're not going to 'clean up the game' with 50 game bans...u think these guys care? Even a 100 games is a drop in the bucket. Again this only benefits me fantasy wise so u'd think i'd back the suspensions....but i don't. MLB has fooled you all into thinking they really care - it's all about PR/damage control.

[Navel Lint]

Apparently, one arbitrator will hear all of the appeals. Assuming that 20-25 players are suspended, this is going to take months. To the extent that MLB has a say in scheduling, you can be certain that they will save Braun and any other high-profile players till the end. Just like any government investigation, MLB will attack where they have the most evidence in an attempt to flip certain players that will support Bosch's story.

Unless the policy has changed in the last year, all appeals will be heard by a 3 member panel.

One arbiter is selected by the Owners. A second arbiter is placed on the panel by the Players Union. The third and final arbiter serves at the mutual discretion of both sides.

In most cases, if not all, the owner’s arbiter will side with them, the union’s arbiter will side with the union, and the final decision rests with the third “impartial” arbiter.

Flash back to the Braun case.

Both the union and management arbiters sided with their respective “employers”. The third arbiter, Shyam Das, was left to make the final ruling. Das had served in the position of “mutual arbiter” for 13 years, he also works for the NFL in the same capacity.

We now know of course that Das sided with Braun and overturned MLB’s 50-game suspension. MLB soon released a statement about the case and I quote, “vehemently disagree” with the ruling.

Now go back to my depiction of the arbiters above. I choose my words carefully in describing the third arbiter as working at the mutual discretion of both sides. In the owners-players CBA, the third arbiter is hired by both sides, but can also be Fired by either side at any time. This is exactly what happened to Shyam Das.

As I said, MLB vehemently disagreed with Das’ decision in the Braun case and they fired him a couple of months after the case became final.

I don’t know who the new third arbiter is, but I hope he decided to rent instead of buy.

[coldwater coyotes]

My money is on.......Cano and Jeter

[swampass]

another marlon byrd homer. can we test this guys piss or what? he is smashing his previous work while he was in TEXAS! i dont believe for one second that this is not aided by something

[Outlaw]

My money is on.......Cano and Jeter

I think of lot of people are going to be surprised with how this whole sad story plays out.

[Outlaw]

Cashman Says AROD will not return by July 22. It also appears AROD "could" be cooperating. Unlike Braun and some of the others who appear to have refused to cooperate and whose meetings with MLB were short, AROD spent 4 hours with the MLB team of investigators/officals yesterday. AROD may have also been told, although some 10 players or so have not cooperated, MLB may have told him the other players involved have cooperated. IMO AROD will do anything to try to save his own neck. In some ways he is an smart guy, who has always been concerned with his image, but still cannot help himself at times from stepping on his own feet. If he Tells MLB that what Bosch is saying is all true, that he (AROD) was paying Tony B 12k a month for his PEDS, that he was using 19 different banned substances supplied by Tony B and that he knows of others involved, I can even see MLB making a very dumb mistake of letting him off again, and MLB backing up AROD as the white horse who wanted to help clean the game up. They also could just give him 50 games, but still say AROD cooperated for the good of baseball.

AROD made an interesting quote the other day, in one of the few statement he has made on this PEDS issue. Asked if the Yankees had informed him of the Friday meeting, Rodriguez said, “I don’t think they have any involvement. I think that that’s strictly Major League Baseball. There’s a lot of players involved.”

There are growing whispers too about the FEDS possibly getting involved, as it appears MLB is uncovering more clinics and athletes from every other major sport being involved. Porter Fisher, one of Tony B's partners, may be getting ready to, as some have said, go "nuclear" with all the information he has.

MLB has also recently commented on thier investigation. The Below is a lengthy read and its somewhat telling to the effort MLB is putting into this. This is not some witch hunt/boondoggle by MLB goons as some have said. There also is a big hearing Monday involving the lawsuit in Florida, but it also appears MLB could be getting ready to drop the lawsuit in its entirety on this coming Monday. There are only 2 named defendents left of the orignal 6 people sued.


Published: July 12, 2013 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/sport ... d=all&_r=0
Doping Inquiry Has Baseball Playing Tough

Mark J. Sullivan worked for the Secret Service for the past 30 years. He was in charge of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s security detail when she was first lady, and he became the director of the agency for nearly seven years.

Alex Rodriguez is a key figure in a doping inquiry involving the Florida clinic Biogenesis.
Now Major League Baseball has deployed him in its pursuit of players suspected of doping. His hiring is one of the most notable examples of the tough means the league is using to try to expose some of its biggest stars.

In striking contrast to how the league once dealt with performance-enhancing drugs — it was long derided for turning a blind eye as players bulked up and rewrote the record books — baseball officials are using unusually tough measures to expose some of the sport’s biggest stars.

The Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers appear to be squarely in the league’s cross hairs. Rodriguez met with league investigators on Friday for their examination into a South Florida anti-aging clinic believed to be a distributor of banned substances.

“This is at the top level of aggressive investigations,” said John Hoberman, a University of Texas professor who is an expert on performance-enhancing drugs. “The leagues and federations historically have been very reluctant to pull out the stops in investigations.”

In late January, news reports connected Rodriguez, Braun and several other major leaguers to the clinic, called Biogenesis. The players and the clinic’s director said they had done nothing wrong.

At the time, Major League Baseball officials seemed to have little hope in building a doping case against the players. Its drug-testing program had not turned up positive tests on many of the players. The league did not possess any of the clinic’s documents that might incriminate the players. And the league, lacking the power to subpoena witnesses, could not compel anyone involved with the clinic or the players themselves to be forthcoming.

But over the past six months, Major League Baseball has engaged in a dogged pursuit of its own stars, a costly doping investigation highly unusual for a professional sports league in the United States. Independent antidoping experts have long criticized the leagues for refusing to enact more rigorous testing protocols.

“This investigation is broader, longer, and more expensive than all of the other investigations we’ve done, put together,” said Robert Manfred, an executive vice president with Major League Baseball.

The hiring of Sullivan’s services, which began in April, is among the most notable examples of the league’s new tactics. He will advise baseball on how best to conduct the investigation, use his own connections to advance it and help identify potential frailties in their case.

Sullivan, who retired from the Secret Service in February, has extensive experience leading complex inquiries, having overseen criminal investigations during his time at the agency. An executive at GSIS, the firm Sullivan joined after leaving the Secret Service, declined to comment, citing the firm’s policy of not publicly discussing its clients.

A baseball spokesman confirmed Sullivan’s role as a consultant and added that “because of the scope of this investigation, many outside resources and sources of expertise have been utilized.”

Baseball’s efforts in South Florida, spearheaded by its investigations unit at the direction of Commissioner Bud Selig, have included unusual twists and turns. The unit consists of a group of lawyers and investigators, some of whom have worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the New York Police Department.

Initially, baseball asked a weekly newspaper, The Miami New Times, to share documents it obtained from a source, linking players to the clinic. When the newspaper declined, baseball began to look elsewhere.

To build the case, baseball took the unprecedented step of filing a lawsuit against the clinic and people associated with it, hoping to gain leverage over them and obtain incriminating documents through discovery. It has also paid for documents from the clinic, which was operated by Anthony Bosch, and offered cash to potential informants.

Baseball has mobilized its investigations unit from New York to Miami, where its agents are going door to door hunting for information that connects players to Bosch’s clinic.

Witnesses have complained of unconventional, if not overly aggressive, tactics.

A lawyer for Marcelo Albir, a former University of Miami baseball player who was connected to the clinic and whom investigators sought to interview, said they told Albir that if he did not get back to them they might involve law enforcement. If he did cooperate, the lawyer said, baseball investigators told Albir they would “make it worth your while.”

“I do think the tactics that were used are inexcusable,” the lawyer, John Lukacs, said, calling the contacts “wholly inappropriate.”

The league said it was using “standard investigative tactics.”

“It is important to remember that the wrongdoers here are those who were involved in the use of performance-enhancing drugs,” said Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball. “Those who complain about our tactics are really upset about our effectiveness.”

Leaks of investigative details to the news media have been frequent. The cooperation of Bosch, the clinic’s operator, has been widely reported, as have baseball investigators’ interviews with players connected to the scandal.

The players’ union denounced the disclosures this week, saying they interfere “with the thoroughness and credibility” of the investigation. The union repeated a message it had issued earlier, saying it would be “unfortunate if anyone prejudged the outcome of the investigation” based on the “unsubstantiated leaks.”

The league’s intensified efforts will no doubt be challenged by any player who faces punishment as a result of the inquiry. Players can take their cases to arbitration, a process that would allow them and their lawyers and union representatives to vet allegations made against them, cross-examine witnesses and present a defense.

An issue likely to be raised at arbitration is the credibility of baseball’s witnesses, including Bosch, as well as the documentary evidence it has collected.

Some critics have suggested that the information Bosch supplies to baseball is compromised because, in exchange for his cooperation, the league has offered to help him with other potentially outstanding legal issues stemming from the clinic.

Baseball is likely to rely on information like delivery and phone records to bolster its reservoirs of evidence, some of which it has sought to obtain through its lawsuit.

“Investigations by baseball are really difficult ventures,” said Fay Vincent, Selig’s predecessor. “Bud Selig is probably finding that out, in the sense that there is an awful lot of talk, but there’s nothing coming out that you would say is convincing of the public, that anything that happened in Miami, really happened.”

Vincent added that the union continues to be “enormously powerful,” with the potential for arbitration looming. “The union is going to be very defensive of these players, and it is going to be a terrific fight,” he said.

The lawsuit has prompted a flurry of hearings in downtown Miami in anticipation of a trial, the most recent on Wednesday, when half a dozen lawyers squared off before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ronald Dresnick to argue procedural matters. The judge has had to consider numerous motions to deny plaintiffs’ subpoenas for “protected medical information,” phone records and other potential evidence.

Some independent doping experts remain skeptical that baseball is ready to take significant action against its stars. Charles Yesalis, an expert on performance-enhancing drugs, said, “I find it very difficult to come to the conclusion that they are going to have some ‘Saturday night massacre’-type investigation.”