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Alex-Rodriguez-MLB-Biogenesis-July-2013Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has finally told the union which players they have agreed to suspend in its drug investigation. They also determined which ones will receive lengthier penalties for their roles in the Biogenesis case, two people familiar with the talks told ESPN.

The two sides are trying to reach as many agreements as possible that would avoid grievance hearings, and talks could push back an announcement until Friday. The meeting that the MLB and the union had yesterday, as first reported by the New York Daily News, signaled the final stretch of talks.

MLB hopes to announce the penalties for all players involved at the same time, both people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcements were authorized.

Three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees stands to receive the longest suspension. While 50 games is the standard for a first offense, the stiffer penalties for some players are tied to other alleged violations, including not being truthful to MLB investigators.

Three 2013 All-Stars could face bans: Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera and Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta. In a sign, Peralta's suspension might be imminent. The Tigers acquired shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox on last night as part of a three-way trade with the Chicago White Sox.

Another 2013 All-Star, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon, was suspended last year following a positive testosterone test, as were Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal. They won't receive additional discipline for that violation, the two people said.

Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero also have been linked in media reports to Biogenesis, a closed Florida anti-aging clinic that was accused by the Miami New Times in January of distributing banned performing-enhancing drugs.

It is apparent, that drugs have seem to become the cornerstone in the game of baseball today. So many of the game's top players are being linked to PEDs. If for instance, a player doesn't reach an agreement can then ask their players' association to file a grievance which would lead to hearings before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was the first player to reach an agreement with MLB. The 2011 NL MVP accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension last week. Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October 2011, but a 50-game suspension was overturned the following February by an arbitrator who ruled Braun's urine sample was handled improperly.

It has also been reported that A-Rod may receive the harshest penalty. MLB may try to suspend Rodriguez under its collective bargaining agreement instead of its drug rules, which would lead to the suspension starting before the appeal.

It will be interesting to see who all officially gets suspended and for how long. As a huge fan of A-Rod, I am obviously hoping for 50-100 games suspension, but according to some sources, that is the minimum he shall get.

The plan for the union and the players is to finally come to not only an agreement, but an understanding to fix this ongoing problem in baseball once and for all.

Written by Dedrick Hendrix of World of Sports Talk

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