Braun, Arod & others to be suspended...?

[Can_of_corn]

How do you think real law enforcement puts away real criminals? Whether it's cops going after drug dealers or the FBI taking on the mob, it's the same approach: Get a good case against one guy, then lean on him until you get him to roll on the guys further up the chain. If the FBI gets one mob enforcer on murder charges, and gets him to testify against his bosses and get them sent away, do we complain that the government's case is based on a witness with questionable character? Or do we applaud law enforcement for putting away as many crooks as possible? It's the same basic approach that MLB is using. Now, I wouldn't give as much deference to MLB as I would to local or federal law enforcement in terms of their methods used, but no one is going to jail here either. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with how MLB is pursuing this. As long as the players all are afforded the ability to defend themselves under the terms of the CBA, I don't think they have too much to complain about.

Real Law Enforcement needs to be able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In cases where defense can prove that the prosecution's main witness is clearly benefiting from testifying that can be hard to do without independent evidence.

[Can_of_corn]

Failing a test isn't the only requirement that needs to be met in order for a player to be found in violation of the drug policy.

Yes, I know. I also know what happens to arbiters that rule against MLB.

If all they have is Bosch then what they have is close to nothing.

[Why Not?]

IMO this is more about PR than anything else. The nature of PED use has changed, but it is still prevalent though not as obvious. If The MLB wanted to catcch virtually all of the testosterone users, they need only send all of the test results to Montreal, regardless of the T/E ratio. But this would lead to two things Bud doesn't want. Much greater expense, and the revelation of 100's of players being caught. Very bad for the public perception of the MLB's drug testing efficacy. No, much better and cheaper to be seen doggedly pursuing the 20 or so cheaters who have somehow managed to slip through the cracks of their almost seamless testing program and make the players ASSC. look bad for defending those cheaters. Never mind if they can't really convince an arbitrator, with their evidence. Any way the outcome won't happen until the off season.

I don't know. Why would MLB want Ryan Braun to be tainted?

[Migrant Redbird]

Yes, I know. I also know what happens to arbiters that rule against MLB.

No, all you know is what happened to ONE arbiter who made an absurd ruling in the Braun case.

... If all they have is Bosch then what they have is close to nothing.

They have more than Bosch, but it's his testimony which pulls the whole case together.

[Lester Freamon]

Wendy Thurm with a detailed report on this ordeal.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mlb-and-biogenesis-a-primer/

[CA-ORIOLE]

Wendy Thurm with a detailed report on this ordeal.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mlb-and-biogenesis-a-primer/

Well, that's pretty informative. The CBA isn't exactly black and white for MLB. As I suspected this could involve a pretty long legal battle for MLB, and an expensive one should they lose.

[byrdz]

The players who might ultimately face discipline from MLB include: Rodriguez, Braun, Cabrera, Colon, Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, CesarPuello, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautini de los Santos, Jordan Norberto, and a number of players who are either identified by code names or whose names appear in other documents not obtained by "Outside the Lines." All are currently on major-league rosters but for Puello, a top outfield prospect for the New York Mets who is playing in Class AA Binghamton.

One player listed who will be scrutinized but possibly exonerated is the Nationals' Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was listed among Biogenesis clients, but two sources told ESPN that the only substances he received from the clinic were legal.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9301536/major-league-baseball-suspend-20-players-including-alex-rodriguez-ryan-braun-part-miami-investigation

Cano seems to have been cleared also. Supposedly it was the spokeswoman for his foundation that was on the list.

[SeaBird]

Wendy Thurm with a detailed report on this ordeal.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mlb-and-biogenesis-a-primer/

Thanks for posting that link. It was well written and very informative.

[SeaBird]

Minor Leaguers supposedly involved with Biogenesis and threatened with suspensions are now coming forward to talk to MLB about what they know about Bosch's MLB clients.

While major league players implicated in the Biogenesis scandal have yet to provide substantive information to Major League Baseball, multiple minor leaguers have discussed in detail their transactions with Anthony Bosch’s clinic that allegedly provided performance-enhancing drugs to dozens of players, sources with knowledge of the interviews told Yahoo! Sports.

Under threat of suspension, the minor league players gave testimony that Major League Baseball plans to use to confirm the veracity of Bosch’s story, the sources said.

That so many minor league players have information about Bosch and Biogenesis suggests that Bosch’s list of clients extends well beyond the 20 or so names that were leaked back in late January by the Miami New Times and most recently by ESPN.com investigative reporters.

“There are others who went there. Big names,” a source in the know told Passan this week for his Yahoo! story. “I don’t know if they’re in the notes, but if Tony tells the whole story, they’ll be in there.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mlb-using-testimony-from-minor-leaguers-to-condemn-players-with-biogenesis-ties-224757915.html

[bdlj0887]

Well this will be awkward.

[byrdz]

Hopefully no Orioles emerge from all of this.

[Gurgi]

Hopefully no Orioles emerge from all of this.

We will have to walk that road if it happens. With the potential of a vast conspiracy afoot you have to figure SOME Orioles will be implicated. I just hope it is not any of our stars. That would be tragic.