SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig wants tougher penalties for major league players who violate the sport’s drug agreement. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig wants tougher penalties for major league players who violate the sport’s drug agreement.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig wants tougher penalties for major league players who violate the sport’s drug agreement.
Players’ association head Michael Weiner said the union is willing to discuss changes but only ones that would start in 2014.
Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Selig said the situation surrounding last year’s positive drug test of All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera and allegations players received banned substances from a now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic helped lead him to seek stiffening of penalties as quickly as possible.
He declined to give any specifics of what he had in mind, saying MLB Executive Vice President Rob Manfred and Weiner will meet.
Weiner said Monday that some players have expressed support for tougher penalties. Selig said he was encouraged by Weiner’s comments.
“The players have been discussing whether changes in the penalties are warranted since the offseason,” Weiner said during a telephone interview Saturday. “As I’ve said throughout spring training, there’s a variety of player views on this subject. In fact, during the offseason we suggested to the commissioner’s office the possibility of differential penalties, namely advanced penalties for certain intentional violations, but reduced penalties for negligent violations.”
