http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/arbitrator-rules-alex-rodriguez-to-be-suspended-for-2014-season?ymd=20140109&content_id=66433260&vkey=news_mlb

 

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will be suspended for the entire 2014 regular season and postseason, arbitrator Fredric Horowitz ruled on Saturday.

 

Major League Baseball had sought a 211-game suspension based on what has been described as overwhelming evidence that Rodriguez not only obtained illegal performance-enhancing substances from the now-shuttered Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in South Florida, but also sought to hinder their investigation into those allegations.

 

"For more than five decades, the arbitration process under the Basic Agreement has been a fair and effective mechanism for resolving disputes and protecting player rights," MLB said in a statement. "While we believe the original 211-game suspension was appropriate, we respect the decision rendered by the Panel and will focus on our continuing efforts on eliminating performance-enhancing substances from our game."

 

In a statement, Rodriguez said he would appeal the decision in a federal court.

 

The Major League Baseball Players Association, which had participated in his defense, issued a statement in the wake of the ruling.

 

"The MLBPAA strongly disagrees with the award issued today in the grievance of Alex Rodriguez, even despite the Arbitration Panel's decision to reduce the duration of Mr. Rodriguez's unprecedented 211-game suspension," it read. "We recognize that final and binding decision has been reached, however, and we respect the collectively-bargained arbitration process which led to the decision. In accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the (Joint Drug Agreement), the Association will make no further comment regarding the decision."

 

The original 211-game suspension was handed down by MLB on Aug. 5 and was to go into effect on Aug. 8. Had Rodriguez accepted the suspension at that time, he would have missed the remainder of the 2013 season and postseason and the entire 2014 season.

 

About time ...

The arbitrator also ruled that he will miss the 2014 postseason.

 

I can't say I'm surprised one bit by this ruling.

The the post-season ban, this is consistent to the 165 game amount the CBA would have allowed for

Dave Cameron @ fangraphs:

 

The incentives created by Rodriguez’s suspension mean that, ethical principles aside, the Phillies should begin shipping Ryan Howard a daily crate full of steroids.