MLB

Baseball close to new drug deal

TAMPA — MLB and the Players Association are closing in on a restructuring of the Joint Drug Agreement that will — among other things — stiffen penalties for those caught using illegal performance enhancers.

The sides had hoped to unveil the new protocols by Sunday, when the season begins domestically. However, nothing has been signed off on, and it is possible an agreement will not be finalized before early next week. The momentum, though, was for a deal to be enacted.

Currently, the punishment schedule is 50 games for a first offense, 150 games for a second and a lifetime ban for a third. Under the new rules, the penalties would become 80 games for a first offense, 162 games for a second and still a lifetime ban for a third.

The sides also are in deep discussion on allowing their joint arbitration panel to consider a reduction in the current 50-game penalty should a player be able to prove he inadvertently used one of a limited group of currently banned substances.

MLB had hoped to stiffen the penalties in the JDA. It appears they were aided in this by a groundswell of support from players, who have become emboldened and want to make sure the playing field is level for clean players. It could be one of the most lasting and important elements from the Alex Rodriguez/Biogenesis case — how many players were outraged by A-Rod’s continued use of PEDs and deception.

There are a host of other issues that would be added to the JDA if these amendments are finalized. Among those that have been part of the discussions:

  • Not allowing those who failed tests during the season to participate in the playoffs as, say, Jhonny Peralta was allowed to do last year for Detroit.
  • Broadening the use of carbon isotope testing, which is believed to better at detecting synthetic testosterone.