New York, NY – The legal team for Alex Rodriguez is reportedly engaging in talks with Major League Baseball officials for a possible plea agreement for the New York Yankees third baseman regarding his alleged involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, the New York Daily News reported Saturday night.
Three sources familiar with the ongoing investigation told the Daily News that Rodriguez would receive a 150-game suspension as a best-case scenario, a penalty that could conceivably mark the end of the currently injured slugger's accomplished and controversial career.
Rodriguez and his attorneys met extensively with MLB officials in Tampa, where the three-time American League MVP is rehabbing from hip surgery performed in January with the Yankees' Single-A affiliate, on Friday. According to the report, a shaken Rodriguez then convened with representatives from the Players Association for a hour and a half before failing to show up for the Tampa Yankees' game, which was eventually rained out, that night.
The league is believed to have uncovered substantial evidence, which includes testimony from Biogenesis of America founder Anthony Bosch, that Rodriguez both purchased and used a number of substances from the Miami-based anti-aging clinic over several years that would be in violation of baseball's joint drug agreement.
If Rodriguez is indeed found to have committed multiple infractions of the drug policy, he could be subject to a lifetime ban. A 150-game suspension, which would in essence keep the star infielder away from the sport for close to two full years, would pose a major threat to him ever playing in the majors again as well.
Rodriguez will turn 38 on July 27 and has four seasons still remaining on a 10-year, $275 million contract the Yankees re-signed him to prior to the 2008 campaign.
The 14-time All-Star is one of the most notable names among a group of 20 current or former MLB players that are potentially facing suspensions for buying performance-enhancing substances from Biogensis. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, the 2011 National League MVP, has also been linked to the investigation.
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