With new allegations arising that Alex Rodriguez has been using performance-enhancing drugs (via Miami New Times), the New York Yankees are reportedly attempting to void the veteran slugger's remaining contract.
The news comes from ESPN's Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand:
According to an industry source, the Yankees "are looking at about 20 different things," including whether Rodriguez breached the contract by taking medical treatment from an outside doctor without the team's authorization, and the possibility that he may have broken the law by purchasing controlled substances from a Miami "wellness clinic" run by nutritionist Anthony Bosch.
If you're a Yankees fan and your ears just perked up a little bit, don't go removing him from the roster just yet. Matthews and Marchand added these details:
According to several baseball sources who spoke to ESPNNewYork.com on the condition of anonymity, Rodriguez may be in little danger of having his contract voided, even if the charges turn out to be true.
"(The Yankees) can't do anything until the MLB investigation is concluded and they take action, if any," the source said.
Rodriguez, who could potentially miss the entire 2013 season due to hip surgery, is playing under what is easily one of the worst contracts in baseball, as he still has five years for $114 million remaining.
The massive contract obviously didn't look so bad when A-Rod was blasting 54 homers and bringing in league MVPs, but in the past few years, his production has tailed off considerably.
In 2012, the highly criticized third baseman hit .272 and saw his slugging percentage dip to a career-low .430 (for a season in which he played at least 50 games).
Not only that, but he also once again struggled in the postseason, going 3-for-25, striking out 12 times and even getting benched. It marked his third straight disappointing playoff performance.
A-Rod is on a massive downslope in his career, and his hip injury, recent performance-enhancing drug allegations and this newest development, which serves as further alienation from his own team, are making matters worse.
The Yankees—and their fans—are clearly growing tired of Rodriguez, and if there is any possible way they can rid themselves of the increasingly large cancer at the hot corner, you can bet they will do everything in their power to make that happen.
Don't be surprised if there are more developments to this story.
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