"NEW YORK (AP) Alex Rodriguez may have to start serving a suspension as soon as it is announced rather than wait for a grievance to play out. Major League Baseball may try to suspend A-Rod under its collective bargaining agreement instead of its drug rules, which would eliminate any chance of delaying a penalty until after the case goes to an arbitrator, The Associated Press has learned." it goes on to say "Aside from the drug agreement, there is no automatic stay for suspensions under baseball's labor contract. Rodriguez could be punished under Article XII (B) of the Basic Agreement, which states: "Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law."" http://stats.newyork.cbslocal.com/mlb/story.asp?i=20130730032416187109608&ref=hea&tm=&src= Another article which covers this basic topic is http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/30/daily-news-bill-madden-selig-has-no-vendetta-against-a-rod/
"The Yankees expect Rodriguez to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, of attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and of not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada." ================== "Aside from the drug agreement, there is no automatic stay for suspensions under baseball's labor contract. Rodriguez could be punished under Article XII (B) of the Basic Agreement, which states: "Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law." If suspended under that section, Rodriguez would serve the penalty while a grievance is litigated before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz - unless the union asks for a stay and the arbitrator grants one, which would be unusual under the grievance procedure. And baseball could always try to punish A-Rod on drug violations later."
Which is why when all is said and done A-rod will capitulate and take the year plus 2 months suspension as the arbitor for the best interests of baseball clause is heard in 30 days by selig himself. By doing this a-rod protects the 60 mill left. If he doesn't agree selig can hit him with the lifetime ban based on the mountain of evidence mlb supposedly has and he would lose his entire 100 mill. The commissioner has all the power in such a case(see pete rose) and the union is powerless at that point to do anything (guessing they really don't want to) on A-rod's behalf.
I don't know what MLB has on him but this sure does seem like Selig is posturing and trying to force Arod to take a deal. Slippery slope for Selig he, he just might mess this up if he's not careful. And waiting until the trading deadline or after is not going to make many fans among teams effected and the players union.
