MLB Playing a Bad Hand In Pursuit of A-Rod

The Associated Press

We knew that the drama surrounding Alex Rodriguez's alleged link to the Biogenesis scandal would  only intensify as the investigation by Major League Baseball ensues. What we might not have realized is how willing MLB might have been to cross the line in order to secure evidence that would lead to Alex's suspension. And perhaps I'm being completely naive in making that last statement.

The New York Times broke the story yesterday that MLB believes a representative from Alex's camp purchased documents that would divulge his connection to Biogenesis, a connection Alex denies. The documents, if purchased, were to obviously be destroyed. In it's haste to out-duel Alex in it's apparent game of "information tag," MLB also tried to purchase documents, unsuccessfully.

The information on this alleged purchase was leaked by two sources to investigators that have been in Miami since last summer. They in turn provided this info to MLB, who in turn decided to pay thousands of dollars to former employees more than willing to spill the alleged beans on A-Rod. As stated in the NY Times:

"Those ex-employees were paid for the time they spent talking with baseball’s investigators, the two people said, with the payments not believed to have exceeded several thousand dollars."

So MLB, in their desperation to bring down Alex Rodriguez, who they clearly are focusing the majority of this investigation on, are now paying people to secure information? Without their ability to purchase documents, and without the help of The Miami News Times who broke the scandal and refuse to assist them in their investigation, MLB has chosen to use testimony to go after A-Rod.

And why not? Every avenue MLB has taken to get something to tie Alex to biogenesis has been unsuccessful thus far. Hell, they can't even get the feds to supply any information linking A-Rod to drug use. And maybe that's because after the one test he did test positive for back in 2003, there just isn't any? Let's remember, Alex has passed every drug test given by MLB since 2003, and he is tested regularly and without warning like every other player.

In essence, MLB has become hypocritical in their pursuit of A-rod. These charges against him are driven by the belief of everyone that PED use is a bigger ethical issue than health issue. Well, I would say that when Major League Baseball goes underground to pay for testimony, there's something seriously wrong with the ethical landscape there. Not to mention the idiocy of a move like this, which would certainly lead to lawsuits by any of the players connected to this scandal and most assuredly the Player's Union if they are indicted on charges based on paid testimony.

So the saga continues. While I admittedly have my doubts about how clean A-Rod really is, I still believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Many haters and fans alike will disagree with me on that when it comes to A-Rod, but what else is new? Bottom line is, for those out there that want to see Alex fry, MLB is not doing a very good job of accomplishing that in a way that's fair and ethical.

Quote credit: Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times

Follow Rasheeda Cooper on twitter: @ra_cooper