Former stars say drug policy too soft
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF.
Several former major league stars lashed out Wednesday at Major League Baseball’s drug policy, wanting stricter penalties for first-time offenders after San Diego Padres rookie catcher Yasmani Grandal’s drug suspension for testosterone use.
Former All-Stars Fred McGriff and Mark Mulder said a 50-game suspension for first-time drug offenders wasn’t enough to provide a deterrent to using performance-enhancing drugs.
“The money is so big, and 50 games is nothing,” McGriff told USA TODAY Sports, “to just say you are sorry and keep going. I just want the game cleaned up.”
Mulder thinks anyone caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be banned for life.
“All sports ( just not baseball),” Mulder said in a tweet message, “seriously needs to just change to one strike and you’re done. Maybe these guys won’t take illegal stuff.”
Grandal, 23, who won the Padres’ everyday catching job in the second half, hit .297 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 192 at-bats. He was projected to be the everyday catcher.
“I’m surprised and very disappointed,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said, “to see a player like him put himself at risk like this.”
Grandal telephoned Byrnes and apologized. In a statement he said, “I am responsible for what I put into my body. I must accept responsibility formy actions.”
Brian Sabean, general manager of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, lost All-Star Game MVP Melky Cabrera for the rest of the season in August when he tested positive for testosterone.
“You have players, young and old, looking at this and saying, ‘ Is it worth the risk?’ ” Sabean says. “You ask yourself, ‘Why?’ ”
Rockies name Weiss:
Walt Weiss, the 1988 American League rookie of the year, will replace Jim Tracy as manager of the Colorado Rockies, the team announced late Wednesday. Tracy resigned Oct. 7 after a last-place finish in the National League West. Tom Runnells, Jason Giambi and Matt Williams also interviewed for the job.
Justin time:
Justin Upton became the hottest trade topic with teams sensing the Diamondbacks would trade their right fielder. The Texas Rangers have expressed strong interest, according to an executive directly involved with the talks, but they have resisted Arizona’s request for Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar, both shortstops. The executive spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing.
The Boston Red Sox also have shown interest, but, according to a person with knowledge of Upton’s preferences, the Red Sox are one of four teams on Upton’s newly submitted no-trade list.
September talk:
MLB finally is considering Milwaukee Brewers GM Doug Melvin’s yearly proposal to change its rule for expanded rosters in September, according to executive vice president Joe Torre. Baseball, which has permitted teams to expand from 25 to 40 players in September, now might limit the active roster to 28 to 30 players.
“Each team should have equal number of players available every day,” Torre said. “I don’t think it’s fair (for teams to have) a different number of roster people.”