A-Rod May Face Lifetime Baseball Ban

The NY Daily News is confirming what most of us already knew — that MLB could suspend Alex Rodriguez from baseball…for life.

According to the report, it’s very simple. A-Rod is supposedly being offered a plea deal in which upon confession of PED use (linked from the evidence found at the south Florida Biogenesis clinic), he would be banned for the rest of this season and possibly next with pay. If he doesn’t take the deal and fights the claims, he could face a lifetime ban from baseball and it could come literally within hours of this article being published.

Armed with voluminous evidence they believe would warrant lifetime banishment, Major League Baseball officials hope to know by Monday if Alex Rodriguez will agree to a deal that would effectively end the Yankee third baseman’s career but possibly preserve a big portion of the remaining $100 million on his contract.

If Rodriguez and his representatives reject a deal, the embattled superstar’s suspension could be announced as early as late Monday or Tuesday. A source close to Rodriguez said the player was sticking to his story that he has done nothing wrong and was unwilling to cut a deal.

“If there is a suspension,” the source said, “he will fight it.”

According to a source familiar with the discussions between MLB officials and A-Rod’s representatives, if Rodriguez accepted a settlement that would call for him to be suspended for the rest of this year and the entire 2014 season without pay, he would still have a chance to collect the $60 million the Yankees would owe him from 2015 to 2017.

The deal would allow MLB to impose the suspension immediately and avoid arbitration. If Rodriguez declines the deal, commissioner Bud Selig is expected to pursue what would be a historic suspension that would ban the 38-year-old Rodriguez from ever returning to the field.

The Daily News reported earlier this month that A-Rod and his representatives have had internal discussions about cutting a deal with MLB. Rodriguez’s representatives have also talked to the Players’ Association about cutting a deal.

What amazes me is how no one has really stepped up in defense of A-Rod. It’s obvious the Yankees — who rushed Derek Jeter back from injury — have been stalling A-Rod’s return in hopes they won’t have to pay what’s left of his contract. There have been no players in his defense. No management. No one.

What’s even more interesting is if Rodriguez battles the suspension. Does he have a case? You can be sure this entire story is just on the precipice of one, long, carried out disaster.

USA Today Sports released a fun and somewhat interactive map on who’s being investigated for PEDs, their current status and what you can expect. Ryan Braun and A-Rod are at the top of the list. Rangers bomber Nelson Cruz could be next.

Josh Helmuth is the editor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JHelmuth or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports for the latest in sports on your newsfeed.

Photo Credit: Getty