Report: Yankees look to void A-Rod's deal after latest PED charge
With Alex Rodriguez facing new allegations related to performance-enhancing drugs, the New York Yankees are mulling ways to void the remainder of his massive contract, ESPNNewYork.com reported.
Major League Baseball players Rodriguez, Gio Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz and Melky Cabrera are among the athletes connected to performance-enhancing drugs to appear on records from a Miami anti-aging clinic, according to a Miami New Times report.
Rodriguez issued a statement denying any connection to the Miami company.
The New Times report includes records from Biogenesis, a South Florida clinic, which cites those players as being among those who received various performance-enhancing substances from clinic head Anthony Bosch, who is already being investigated by MLB and the DEA.
"We are always extremely disappointed to learn of potential links between players and the use of performance-enhancing substances," Major League Baseball said a statement. "These developments, however, provide evidence of the comprehensive nature of our anti-drug efforts. Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida. It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program."
The athletes named have South Florida connections.
The New Times said the records show the firm sold human growth hormone, testosterone and anabolic steroids. Bosch, 49, was also linked to former slugger Manny Ramirez when he received a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy in 2009.
The findings stem from a three-month investigation, the Miami New Times said.
On Saturday, news broke that MLB was investigating wellness clinics in South Florida, as well as those with possible paths to players.
Rodriguez has admitted to steroid use from 2001-03, but said he hasn't used PEDs since. The New Times report said his appears 16 times in the reviewed records, including one from Bosch's private notebooks that said Rodriguez paid $3,500 for "1.5/1.5 HGH (sports perf.), creams test., glut., MIC, supplement, sports perf. Diet."
Other entries for Rodriguez begin in 2009 and continue through last season.
For his part, Rodriguez, who is out for at least the first half of the 2013 season after hip surgery Jan. 16, denied the new allegations.
"The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true," he said in a statement issued by a publicist. "He was not Mr. Bosch's patient, he was never treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story -- at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez -- are not legitimate."
Rodriguez had previously denied used PEDs until a Sports Illustrated report in February 2009 said he tested positive for two steroids in MLB's anonymous 2003 survey. Two days after that story ran, he admitted that he used PEDs over a three-year period, but said he stopped after 2003.
Five years and $114 million remain on the 10-year, $275 million deal Rodriguez signed with the Yankees in December 2007. The team likely wouldn't be eager to rid itself of Rodriguez had his production and health held up. However, even before his hip operation, he wound up benched in the playoffs last year. He wound up going 3-for-25 (.120) with no RBI in seven postseason games.
Cabrera is mentioned 14 times in the Biogenesis report, according to the paper. He received a 50-game suspension last August for violating baseball's performance enhancing drugs policy while with the San Francisco Giants. The paper's report cited April 2012 entries that said Cabrera "has enough meds until May 4."
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz and was also named. The Rangers issued a statement: "The Texas Rangers were contacted late last week by Miami New Times regarding the story posted this morning. At that time, the Rangers contacted Major League Baseball on that inquiry. The team has no further comment."
Washington Nationals' 21-game winner Gonzalez is listed five times, but his father reported claims Gonzalez is wrongfully accused saying he's "clean as apple pie."
