Orioles Sign Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz finally has a new home after waiting all winter. The Baltimore Orioles signed the slugging outfielder to a 1 year $8 Million deal. I have mixed feelings about this deal after Cruz was suspended for 50 games for being involved with the Biogenesis scandal.

Nelson Cruz

No matter what the circumstances, this is a great signing for the Baltimore Orioles. After signing Ubaldo Jimenez and forfeiting their first round pick making the decision to forfeit their second round pick for Cruz was made easier. Whether Cruz plays the outfield or hits as a designated hitter the lineup for the Orioles looks more dangerous than the Texas Rangers or the Los Angeles Angels.

Over the past three seasons Cruz has been pretty consistent with his stats. He is averaging a 112 OPS+ over the past three seasons with 27 home runs per season and an on base percentage of .319. Now that he is playing the for the Orioles and most likely batting 5th behind Chris Davis, much of the pressure should be relieved from Cruz. Expect a good season from Cruz, or at least another consistant season from the outfielder.

Now the problem I have is the salary for Cruz. He was suspended 50 games last season for his actions with Biogenesis, willingly took the suspension, indirectly saying he took performance enhancing drugs. This guy still gets $8 Million after doing something completely frowned upon by Major League Baseball. Not surprisingly Melky Cabrera was suspended 50 games in 2012 when with the San Francisco Giants and become a free agent after the season. He signed a 2 year $16 Million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, just like Nelson Cruz. So the message here is, it doesn't
matter if you take steroids, at the end of the day, you'll still get paid. Jhonny Peralta can also vouch for this concept.

Alex Rodriguez Suspended 162 Games

It was finally announced that Alex Rodriguez will be suspended 162 games and the 2014 playoffs. Rodriguez's original suspension was for 211 games, but after a long and strenuous revision and tons of law stuff I don't completely understand, the suspension was reduced to 162 games.

Rodriguez released a statement saying that he plans to bring the case to federal court and fight for his justice because he feels as if he was treated unfairly. I can agree and disagree that A-Rod was treated unfairly because this is the longest suspension of all time, and Alex never failed a drug test. The other players associated with Biogenesis received 50 game suspensions, and Ryan Braun received a 65 game suspension. A-Rod may bring the case to federal court, but looking in the past, the verdict is not usually changed.

Alex Rodriguez is a good man off the field and is just like any other father or friend. I grew up watching A-Rod without the slightest bit of knowledge that he was taking performance enhancing drugs. When reports came out that he did, and when Alex admitted it, he disappointed me along with millions of other fans, young and old. The little bit of hope I had for when he came to the plate turned into a feeling of burden and expectancy of a strikeout.

With the suspension of Alex Rodriguez the Yankees save roughly $25-$27 Million. This money can be used to fill several holes present on their team. Michael Young and Mark Reynolds have been named fluttering around to fill the hole at third base, Masahiro Tanaka becomes even more realistic to be a member of the Yankees, and perhaps Andrew Bailey or Grant Balfour can top out the Yankees'  bullpen.

At the end of the day, Alex Rodriguez is suspended and will not contribute in 2014. Whether you like the decision or not, Major League Baseball has set a much needed example. I hope this gets to many players and they do not take performance enhancing drugs, because the game is better without them. Baseball is a game where you can be any size and succeed, lets keep it that way.

SUSPENED

On Monday Major League Baseball announced the players to be suspended along with the number of games, because of their usage of performance enhancing drugs, and involvement with Biogenesis. Most of the players received a 50 game suspension as their punishment, which is the remainder of the season for most teams.

The players who accepted their suspension with no appeal are the following:  Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera, Antonio Bastardo, Jesus Montero,Francisco Cervelli, Jordany Valdespin, Fautino De Los Santos, Jordan Norberto, Cesar Puello, Fernando Martinez and Sergio Escalona. This may be problematic for play off contenders such as the Rangers and Tigers. 

The Rangers made no acquisition for a hitter this trade deadline, and now they lost a big bat. I expect the Rangers to be extremely active with players who pass through waivers. As for the Tigers, they acquired infielder Jose Iglesias from the Red Sox because they were cautious and knew Peralta could be suspended. 

Line up for your mugshot 

Now for the big fish, the witch hunt continues. Alex Rodriguez was issued a 211 game suspension for serial usage, damaging the integrity of the game, and repetitive lying to his organization and Major League Baseball. Additionally he tried to cover up his usage with Biogenesis by destroying documents. His suspension is set to take place Thursday August 8th, but Rodriguez said he will appeal it. Commissioner Bud Selig said he won't use his Integity of the Game power to override the appeal, so most likely A-Rod will complete the 2013 season barring injury. You can expect a very tabloid filled off season for A-Rod. 

Fool Me Once

It appears Ryan Braun will not fool Major League Baseball again. Once before the slugger had been accused of PED usage and he escaped on a technicality and delivered a seemingly honest speech. Braun will be suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis PED scandal. Major League Baseball provided astonishing amounts of evidence to Braun and his representatives and agreed to not appeal his suspension. The final verdict for the 2011 NL MVP is a 65 game suspension. The Brewers are already in last place and are selling this trade deadline. The loss of Braun will put the final nail in the coffin for the Brewers this season.You can also expect Alex Rodriguez to be face the consequences for his actions with Biogenesis at more severe levels, because of his previous offenses.

With the loss of Braun you can expect Ramirez, Gallardo, and Rodriguez to be traded this deadline. As for Gomez, Segura, and Lucroy; you can possibly see them move as well.

Speaking of trades, the Rangers and Cubs finally finished the Garza trade today after some adversity. Garza will go to the Rangers in exchange for 1B/3B Mike Olt, two minor league pitchers, and two players to be named later. Olt has been glorified for his bat, but hasn't performed at the Major League level. Matt Garza spent some time on the DL  but has a 3.17 ERA over 71 innings pitched in 2013. Garza will join a rotation with ace Yu Darvish and may pitch for the Rangers as soon as tomorrow.