After an enormous amount of waiting, the most definitive deadline on the Biogenesis suspensions announcement has finally been made. By no means will tomorrow's announcement be the end of the matter, especially if Alex Rodriguez appeals any suspension like he is expected to. At least there will be a small bit more information than all the speculation we've been hearing for months now.
#MLB is planning to announce the Biogenesis suspensions at about noon Eastern Time tomorrow.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) August 4, 2013
So, there's that. Rodriguez is one of the only players expected to appeal the suspension decision, likely because he is the player facing the harshest punishment. The Yankees are playing at 8:10 pm tomorrow in Chicago against the White Sox, and it appears that A-Rod has a decent change of being in the lineup.
As for A-Rod, he very well could be allowed to play for #Yankees tomorrow night against #WhiteSox (asuming he appeals).
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) August 4, 2013
That seems to suggest that Rodriguez will be suspended purely under the Joint Drug Agreement and not the CBA, as has been threatened multiple times. A-Rod would be allowed to play through his appeal, however long that takes.
Allowing A-Rod to play would give him his full due process under the #MLB JDA and would hinder his chance to play the victim. #Yankees
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) August 4, 2013
There is still about two and a half hours for A-Rod to work out a possible settlement with MLB that would allow him a lesser suspension in return for an agreement to not appeal the decision. MLB refused negotiations yesterday after Rodriguez's post-game comments in Trenton on Friday night and nothing appears to suggest that they will settle before today's 6:00 pm deadline.
Person updated on Biogenesis inquiry: "All I hear on A-Rod is he's going to appeal. Have never heard they were close to anything" #Yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 4, 2013
WFAN's Sweeny Murti thinks that A-Rod being able to play through an appeal would be a worst-case scenario for Rodriguez's Yankee teammates. Distractions are often downplayed when it comes to professional athletes, but Murti would likely know better than you or I what the feelings in the clubhouse are like.
Most times things we think are distractions for teams are not. But if ARod shows up in Chicago, it's a mess for every Yankee player.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 4, 2013
The Yankee players want to focus on games. The games will be the last thing to focus on if ARod is near team with suspension and/or appeal.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 4, 2013
Distraction or not, it sounds like the circus will be in full swing tomorrow afternoon.
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