MLB AFTER AROD "AT ALL COSTS"

So in the long line of what seems to be a ceaseless battle between Alex Rodriguez and the MLB, they finally agreed on something! I know, I'm shocked too, but it seems that they were able to agree the lawsuit ARod filed against Bud Selig does not belong in federal court.

At the hearing on Thursday, both sides presented their arguments as to why the case did not belong in federal court. According to the New York Daily News article (HERE):

"MLB lawyer Joseph Baumgarten told U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield that the lawsuit - which claims Selig and other baseball officials have engaged in a "witch hunt" against Rodriguez during its Biogenesis investigation - should be dismissed because baseball's collective bargaining agreement and joint drug policy calls for doping disputes to be resolved through arbitration. 

Rodriguez attorney Jordan Siev, meanwhile, told Schofield during a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Thursday morning that the suit beings in New York state court, where it was originally filed on Oct. 3."

Remember, the suit was brought against the MLB for unethical, and what is believed to be criminal behavior. The MLB is believed to have paid in cash for stolen documents, and bullied testimonies out of witnesses. Siev (HERE) went as far to say that Selig "went way over the line" during the investigation and is attempting to "destroy Rodriguez's career and reputation at all cost." I beg to differ. I tend to believe that Selig is capitalizing on what was already a frayed reputation to boost himself into the seat of a savior. ARod was already one of the players fans most loved to hate. Selig is taking that, and running with it. His ultimate goal is to retire with a sparkly reputation. Unfortunately, I am not inclined to forget that he was also the commissioner that sat back, and allowed the doping problem to get as bad as it is.

Motions to remove the case from federal court, and their responses are excepted by December 13th. The hearing date is tentatively set for January 23rd. The arbitration case resumes on November 18th. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz is excepted to issue a decision on that by Christmas. Of course, this raises issues for the Yankees going into winter meetings. As Joe Girardi said (HERE) "If we're not going to have him, we need to fill that void. It causes us to think a lot about whether we need a third baseman or do we not need a third baseman?"At any rate, the best we can hope for is that these proceedings move along quickly, and smoothly. If these past few months is any indication though, that will not be the case. Hey, I can dream, right?

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804



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