After receiving the longest suspension in the history of baseball, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is allowed to return to the team today. Commissioner Bud Selig slapped Rodriguez with a 162-game ban for his involvement with the Biogenesis Scandal.
Despite never failing a drug test, Rodriguez was banned from baseball in 2014. The latest Joint Drug Agreement suggests that first-time offenders receive a 50-game ban. Those who fail twice are handed a 100-game suspension and any third-time culprits are banned for life. Rodriguez previously admitted to using steroids during his time with the Texas Rangers and was then exposed by Biogenesis of America owner Anthony Bosch for his alleged use of PEDs last year. But still, no failed drug test.
Bosch provided the MLB with numerous patient files, which resulted in the simultaneous suspension of 14 players. The other 13 men accepted their punishments, all of which were 50-game suspensions, except for the 65-game ban for Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun. But Rodriguez took his case to court because he was initially suspended for 211 games (the remainder of the 2013 season plus the entire 2014 season). His ban was reduced to 162 games and that's where it remained. The Yankees missed the postseason for the second straight season, which was the first time that has happened since the early 1990s.
But now the 39-year-old is allowed back with the team. Manager Joe Girardi said in his end-of-season press conference that he "fully expects" Rodriguez to be back with New York in 2015, but he's unsure what his role will be. Both Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman have reiterated they will need to evaluate the former three-time AL MVP and decide if he can be an everyday third baseman for the Yankees. After two hip surgeries and a full season away from baseball (he also only played 44 games in 2013), management is not confident Rodriguez will be able to assume his former role.
Nonetheless, New York will need to find a significant role for him because he's owed $61 million over the next three seasons, including a $6 million bonus if he hits a mere six home runs to tie Willie Mays on the all-time list with 660. Girardi reportedly spoke to A-Rod about playing some first base to serve as a backup to the oft-injured Mark Teixeira so the two sluggers could switch off in the field and at DH, but not much has developed on that.
We should be hearing from Rodriguez during a press conference in the near future. The Yankees have a lot of question marks regarding their roster heading in to 2015, so it'll be interesting to see where A-Rod fits in.
