Time to Go Away-Rod

Kevin Aherne - [email protected]

It was the most predictable of outcomes. 

When Major League Baseball handed down its 211-game suspension to maligned slugger Alex Rodriguez, it was generally understood that an appeal--and subsequent reduction--would follow. 

In fact, the prevailing theory around baseball is that the number 211 was settled upon based on knowing this, and the original goal was to force Rodriguez out of baseball for all of 2014.  Now that theory has come to fruition, with independent arbitrator Frederic Horowitz' decision to reduce the suspension to 162 games, plus any potential playoff games in 2014. 
 
This actually helps the Yankees

With the suspension, the Yankees are now off the hook for the $25 million owed to the 38-year old Rodriguez in 2014.  With this significant chunk of change off the books,  Yankees management now has more flexibility to make important acquisitions, namely pitching (ahem, Masahiro Tanaka?).  The team will still owe A-Rod $61 million for the years 2015-2017; but taking, what is essentially the entire Houston Astros' payroll, off the books, drastically improves the Yankees' short-term cash situation, and reduces their Luxury Tax liability. 

Is that fair?

No. 

The quiet villains of the "Steroid Era" are the individual teams and league management. These owners and presidents seem shocked by any implication that their players may be tied to performance enhancers, but when the only thing grew faster than their bank accounts were their player's biceps, they were none too pleased in looking the other way. 

Teams need to be held accountable for their actions. If players are signed irresponsibly, if personnel are breaking the rules, the consequences need to be shared by the violator and their employer. 

Back to the 25-Million Dollar Man

Alex Rodriguez has done himself no favors in this whole ordeal. Despite significant evidence of his bending rules, breaking laws, and obstruction, A-Rod assumes no personal accountability.  He has portrayed himself as a victim, and while he is in no way the only major violator deserving of penalty, his attitude has made him an easy target. 

Some may say that he is paying for the sins of his predecessors--the likes of Bonds, McGwire, and Clemens--but he is really paying for the sin of his own arrogance.  

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