Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd was officially slapped with a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance enhancing substance, as Vince Grzegorek of Cleveland Scene first reported on Twitter. Byrd had previously been hit with a 50-game ban, meaning he was a second-time offender for purposes of the league’s more punitive current PED regime.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted via Twitter that Byrd chose not to appeal. The veteran has released a statement disclaiming fault, as has his attorney, both via Rosenthal (here and here). They suggest that a tainted supplement is to blame for the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin that was found in Byrd’s system. Given his age and history, it’s fair to wonder whether this is the end of the line for the veteran, who has seen action in fifteen major league seasons.
Cleveland added the 38-year-old on a minor league deal to shore up an outfield that had several question marks — due, in part, to the PED suspension of presumptive center fielder Abraham Almonte. His own 80-game ban will finish up early next month.
Byrd had performed as hoped, posting a .270/.326/.452 slash with five home runs over 129 plate appearances. As usual, he’s done most of his damage against left-handed pitching. With his glovework in the corner outfield rating as at least average by measure of both UZR and DRS, and solid baserunning valuations added in, he’s been a sturdy contributor at the bargain rate of a $1MM annual salary.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, that wasn’t meant to last. With Almonte and Michael Brantley still out of action, the Indians are left with an outfield of Jose Ramirez, Rajai Davis, and Lonnie Chisenhall. All three have been rather productive this year, though it may be a lot to ask of that trio to make up an everyday unit.
The club has Michael Martinez on hand as a utility option, and seems likely to bring back Tyler Naquin to add another corner option. Naquin, 25, showed well earlier in the year, and both Joey Butler and Collin Cowgill provide depth on the 40-man roster.
Looking forward, the intriguing question is whether the loss of Byrd will add any motivation for a more dramatic move. Highly-rated prospects Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier are both raking at the Double-A level; while it’s unclear whether either would be considered in the near term, they could factor in down the line. Otherwise, it’s fair to wonder whether Cleveland will entertain an outside addition. The club can take its time assessing its needs and canvassing the market, but a significant strike can’t be ruled out with the division up for grabs.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and shakes it’s tail like a duck…it’s a duck. Big Papi….watch out.
*groans* I’m sure the 40 year older hitting better than anyone hasn’t been tested yet…
This is a serious question. Do you really think that Big Papi is using PEDs? I mean I’ve heard the rumors but did think it was all that serious.
I’m sure there are guys that have nothing to lose. It would not surprise me if most players nearing a record or retirement (or both) use to get to that plateau or to that last last contract to squeeze as much cash out of the league as they can. It also is a ‘no lose’ scenario for guys that are not likely to ever make the hall and are close to retirement. If they get caught, maybe there is a clause somewhere in their contract that takes that money away, but again not a huge deal they tried and got caught, Plus they will still have fans that are will still love and adore them regardless. However if they try and get away with it, well more for the retirement fund.
Now, Ortiz could make the hall, but of the HoF does not matter to him? Maybe he is. Unfortunately any aging hot hitting player is under suspicion these days, right or wrong. Byrd getting caught does not help with the suspicions about other older players (or those busted before who are hitting well now)
So, are you saying go after guys like Byrd to save face and and ignore guys like Papi and Pujoles.
It’s hard to think he hasn’t. Seems like most of the guys from his era and prior, with that body size, has dibbled and dabbled a time or two, or ten! Frank Thomas seems like the only big guy whom hasn’t appeared on any list or report or in anyone’s book.
P.S… “His body size” excludes guys like Griffey, Ripki ect…
Of course, he already tested positive years ago but of course those samples were not supposed to be made public. Years later and at what should be the end end of his career where the number fall off drastically, Big Sloppi is having as good of a year as ever….so yeah, I don’t doubt he’s juicing.
He is a juicer and a fraud
Even if Ortiz has, does, or will juice, the mlb wouldn’t have the balls to suspend him
I agree JFisnasty. It would hurt the sport even more if a borderline HOFer is caught in his final year doing it. If he Is cheating though, I hope he does get caught. That goes for anyone of course.
Rafael Palmiero….he was suspended for PEDs YEARS ago…I think they would suspend any player if caught using.
Palmeiro was in the class of McGwire, Sosa, Clemens, Bonds, etc. They were well known cheaters already. His suspension came of little to no surprise to anyone.
Link to concrete evidence for Sosa?
Palmeiro had a lot of fans coming to his defense after the hearing in Congress. His suspension was a crushing blow.
If MLB had hard proof on Ortiz then exposing him would prove a zero tolerance policy. Plus let’s face it, there’s a large chunk of MLB fan base who would cheer, namely every yankee fan and everyone who just dislikes the Red Sox.
I think this whole “MLB wouldn’t dare suspend Ortiz” is a a conspiracy theory that some fans are telling themselves to justify their own beliefs.
Of all the names you take issue with, Sosa is the one?
I don’t know why you feel the need to lie to strangers. You hope he gets caught because you’re a Yankee fan and dislike Ortiz.
Huh? They called out A-Roid who was a poster boy for MLB……
Was Sosa proven and suspended? I don’t recall that ever happened. Did he use? Probably. But guys like Sosa and McGwire (iirc) never got caught.
MLB had no problem suspending Arod. The NFL is doing its damndest to suspend Brady. Nobody is untouchable
One report came out in 2009 came out claiming that Sosa had used, but no connection or tie was made.
McGwire dodged the question in federal court.
I specifically said IF he is cheating that I hope he gets caught. And as I said after, that goes for anyone. Maybe you should learn to Read. It has nothing to do with me being a Yankee fan.
McGwire admitted it finally. And Sosa was caught in 2003
Just cause there were no suspension doesn’t mean they didn’t cheat. Bonds and Clemens were never suspended. Do you think they’re innocent?
Sosa was caught with a corked bat in 2003, not connected to steroids.
And Palmiero tested hot and was allowed to play quite a while before being suspended because he was chasing the milestones. Other players at the same time were told they had to sit immediately and could appeal and get the $$$ back if they won the appeal.
What do deflated balls have to do with PED’s?
Sosa was also on the list of 103 players. Do you really think Sosa did not take steroids or PED’s?
I might be the only one naive enough to believe Raffy and how he blamed Miguel Tejada for giving him a tainted B-12 shot. As such, I wouldn’t put him in the same category as Jose, Clemens, and McGwire.
A great article came out recently discussing how Raffy’s life has completely gone off the deep end since that suspension. Really sad to see.
Kayrall you really need a link? Open your eyes!
Madman so whats your point? If you do not get caught you think its ok
Link to rule banning PEDs during that era?
are you serious ?
TBaggins…it was law. Regardless, are you going to say it was all okay? You can’t ask yourself why it took 80 years to have ten players hit 50 home runs, then it took ten years for 25 players to hit 50 home runs?
You agreed with a statement that if Ortiz used steroids that the MLB wouldn’t act on it. That’s conspiracy thinking and frankly it would have more to do with your own beliefs than reality.
Nope what I’m saying is don’t call them cheaters. If you don’t like that they broke records fine, say that. Steroids were part of the game. Guys took them in order to be competitive because “everyone” was taking them. They weren’t cheating until the rules changed and that’s why guys didn’t get suspended. They were breaking the law. Who are you to say it was ok or not ok? Did you play high level competitive baseball during that era? I haven’t said my opinion on “ok-ness” except to call haters out who call elite ball players, cheaters.
Your math is off. 10 players 1920-1977 (58 years) 17 players 1990-2016 (27 years) not quite the picture you were trying to paint especially when you consider the increases in healthcare, strength training, overall player size, and decreases ball park dimensions.
Sosa played the I DON”T KNOW NOTHING card. Please he was a juicer too. I love A-Rod but I know obviously he was a juicer. Just because you love the guy, don’t ignore it.
This is preposterous. The testing system operates independently of MLB…they can’t just decide to not reveal results of a test. This is all collectively bargained. Ortiz is tested regularly and rigorously. Until you can prove something it seems absurd to accuse someone of this.
Davidcoone, then why don’t they reveal the list of all 103 players who tested positive in 2003? The MLBPA would probably have to agree to it, but 5 or 6 names got exposed, so one would think there are some who would want All names exposed.
I am not claiming a conspiracy, but that testing system that operates independently reports it’s results to the people who hired it, Major League Baseball and the Player’s Union, and does not go public with the result. Could MLB decide to not go public and not take action? Absolutely. They just better make sure they never get caught doing so.
This is categorically not true. The test results go to the player and the team, and it is entirely possible to negotiate a fine/punishment without it being made public. The Mitchell Report mentions Ortiz prominently.
No, Ortiz is Not in the Mitchell Report. He was on the list of 103 players who tested positive (though for what, is unknown). That is separate from the Mitchell Report
yeah, because 40 year olds generally stay productive like when they were 28.
Lmao, oh yeah because the MLB bases its suspension on fear of backlash or a players popularity. The ones things for sure, if Papi was or ever has used he would be the most ignorant player in history to be using now and tarnish everything he’s done to this point of his HOF career. Keep the money and piss clean.
Wasn’t there a story already saying how Ortiz n manny Ramirez used peds in the early 2000s
Yeah I’m sure he’s the one guy who’s got the system figured out for over 12 years now. Learn something.
I doubt Ortiz is doing anything. You know how many tests he’s had to take. Countless.
You can take all the tests in the world if they have found something MLB cannot test for.. Same goes for Braun (Generally I would stay away from most PED users as if they did it once they will likely do it again)..
As for anyone that comes out of nowhere to start clobbering the ball you will have this question come up. Period. Is it unfair? Perhaps, but it is typically rare for a toothpick to start clobbering the ball.
In terms of any guy approaching 40 that all of the sudden starts clobbering the ball you have to wonder.
Are they juicing? Anything is possible, and only homers for their team deny that.
It’s not the 40 yr olds that suddenly start hitting, it’s the 40 yr olds that continue to hit like they are 25 that people are suspicious of.
I don’t know about that, I doubt someone like brandon crawford is doing PEDs – I could believe Papi if for no other reason that he is an aging power hitter, anyone putting up big numbers past 35 is suspect
Points for excessive use of the word clobbering
If Dee Gordon can get caught, anyone can.
He’s presumably been tested exactly as much as any other player (which isn’t much). What’s your point?
If you saw Big Sloppy smash the dugout phone in Camden Yards last year, the roid rage is pretty evident.
I’m just DYING for them to catch Big Papi, but because it’s his last season they are going to look the other way. Papi some years back during the A-Rod fiasco was also caught. He told the press he would come out with a statement which he never did, Curious to me.
He’s not appealing, so he must be one of the very few that knows how the substance got in his body.
Darling just said on NYM broadcast that byrd said something along the lines of a person would be a fool to use PED’s a second time after his 1st bust”
Then? I said his magical re emergence of power after 2011 was probably likely due to illegal substances and laughed off on this board, only to lead to his bust the 1st time.. The power stayed up and evidently Byrd figured he had a choice of becoming an AAAA retread, or cheating to stay relevant in the game.. So he cheated. and got caught yet again.
1st penalty SHOULD be the 1y and 2nd booted, stop this nonsense once and for all.
I’d target Colon next.. That career resurgence he had after 2011 deserves scrutiny also, along with the fact the guy can still “reach back” for 94-5 late in games a half dozen times per game he couldn’t do then.. I call foul.. He needs watched still VERY close.
Bartolo Colon hasn’t hit 94 or 95 a single time this season, according to statcast. And like all players, he is tested for PEDs 6-8 times a year.
His PED is BBQ Sauce and greasy sausage. LOL! Anyway, that fat sack of shiznit has cheated the system for years whether it’s his age or the banned surgical procedures he had to go to Europe for or the PEDs he’s been using over the years, but everyone just laughs it off because he’s a comedy routine.
You realize Colon has already been suspended 50 games for PEDs back in 2012, right? I can’t say whether it has anything to do with his resurgence, but he’s certainly tested as much as anyone now that he’s been caught once. And no, he can’t throw 95.
I know he was suspended one time. Same with melky and same with Byrd. Both careers were shelved and nothing changed with their games, stances etc.. yet for some reason at an older age they seem to have made miraculous comebacks..
Ortiz changed.. Lost weight, dropped the bat. Was plain to see. Maybe the same? (ped’s) Check also, but vigourous testing, Obvious changes were there, along with torn tendon sheath (1st injury) and think he also had a hamate injury also? Nothing of the sort with those other and I stand by the Colon statement of 94-5 when was with Oakland, apologies last cpl years with NY.. I also looked up.. He’s only topping out at 93-4 now..
When was with the A’s, a team like and follow, would watch his game and be amazed how a 40+ YO, obviously out of shape 280lb cow could hit 95mph 100 pitches into a game when he HAD to late in a game for 1-2 pitches. After he got busted? It all made sense…
You guys realize there are ways to cheat ANY drug test right? They get caught when they forget to bring their clean pee with them that oooone day out of the year and are asked to test that very day.
Lol @ Colon throwing 95. Not once, but a dozen times a game, you say?
He learned the first time around to just take his licks, and come back to some sorry team that will give him league minimum to do it again. He’s got one more strike before he’s out.
Oh he’s out, his career is now over.
Let’s hope this cheating scrub never plays again.
Byrd has certainly had an interesting career if this is it for him.
Also, the Jose Ramirez link currently links to the wrong Jose Ramirez.
Thanks for the Ramirez note. Fixed.
It’s Clint Frazier time. Let’s do this.
Wow.
Byrd was terrible until he joined the Rangers in 2007…guess Jose Canseco wasn’t lying about how he singlehandedly changed the culture in that org and made everyone try out steroids. It’s probably changed now but for 10+ years from the mid-90s on, I’d guess every Ranger was juicing.
A-Rod, Palmero, Jose and Byrd.
Juan Gonzalez and Pudge too, (Canseco in his book said he injected Pudge)
first of all, is anyone surprised?…I said it once, and I’ll say it again. Until contracts are voided and/or money is taken back and players are then banned for a lifetime, FIRST OFFENSE, PEDs will ALWAYS be a problem in baseball…and sports, for that matter.
the only reason guys are ‘repeat offenders’ is because they know that they get to keep the money that was given to them..and furthermore, they are then allowed to keep making money. thereafter. The average salary for players nowadays, is just about enough to retire on, if you live somewhere that doesnt deplete your savings, because of the ‘cost of living’.
PEDs will always be a problem, period. A lifetime ban for a first offender still isn’t going to stop a fringe Major Leaguer from trying to get to the Majors (see: all of the recent Rule 5 suspensions), nor will it stop a 37-year-old who is trying to hang on for another year or two. There will never, ever be a professional sports landscape where performance-enhancing drugs aren’t a factor.
I agree with you on that Steve, but I’m not sure the Rule V guys are the best example of that. Rule V draft seems to actually incentivize PED use for a lot of guys. Personally, I don’t think DL or suspension time should count for Rule V time personally, but I guess that’s a separate issue
Union has to police their own in a harsh way, but we all know that ain’t gonna happen.
Is that how it works in other pro sports? Don’t actually know, so I am just asking.
Some of the comments from union reps indicate that might be coming around.
Let me run something past u bluesky..
Has baseball yet gone to the gutter yet.. As has basketball and football with murderers and rapists? Would u like to see the game further tarnished? SOMETHING further needs to be done and I always found self policing the best way..
do you need someone to tell u not to steal? To kill? Take drugs? WHY should MLB have to have special task forces, when the union should be doing that?? Can’t the union at least serve a PURPOSE for once that is not destructive??
You realize the players pay the Union, right? You seem to have a very poor understanding of what a union is.
Yes, but when these guys started getting getting exposed the players supported the Union and their ‘brothers’. But then they realized that why should the percentage of players playing within the rules support their ‘brothers’ that were cheating and outperforming them on the field and taking $ away from them.
Wasn’t to difficult to figure out long ago that you needed led around by the hand.
Steve, that’s dead on. There is always going to be some type of cheating–it’s just a matter of who is unlucky enough to get caught. The incentives are everywhere. I;d be fascinated to read a blind interview with a user–just what goes through their mind–I’ll bet it’s not always just money, but pride/fear that they can’t perform without it.
I think teams also need to be held accountable. After Jhonny Peralta’s suspension he signed for over $50M with the Cardinals and they basically said his past didn’t matter. The truth was if Peralta was caught juicing again, the team wouldn’t lose out. They wouldn’t have to pay for the time he’s suspended.
Now if you force the team to continue to pay while the player is suspended by having that pay go to a charity, then teams will start policing themselves.
vsLHP, Denorfia & Ruggiano are possible replacements.
Sounds like a fair and realistic trade to me. Make it happen!
Whatever drugs you are on, I would love to take. Your trade scenarios are always garbage and involve way too many players and far too much salary to ever take place. Maybe if you look up how trades actually work eg. Give value to get value, ou will continue to post uneducated nonsense such as this
David Ortiz was either named in The Mitchell Report or has failed a drug test.
No on both.
Mitchell report can be read online and he is not named.
He has never failed a drug test and never been suspended.
He was one of the 100 names leaked out of the 2003 beta test which does not reveal any details or specifics beyond names.
The names that are leaked are players who tested positive. That included Ortiz. What is not known is what he tested positive for, and whether or not it was legal at the time.
Typical Boston fan, going to deny that Papi was caught. Dude wake up.
No that was Paul Byrd who was named, but only hours before Game 7 in the ALCS against the Sox…and coincidentally Mitchell was with the Red Sox.
LOL no.
Zimmer and Frazier are untouchable, especially with the players you are offering.
This guy has it figured out.
Long time viewer, first time commenter. I made a username to laugh at your 15 player deal. I can’t tell if you’re serious or not.
15 player trades happen all of the time.
Are the Indians still in contention?
Yes, 2.5 games back as of June 1st.
Is this for real?
And Newb here, anyone else having troubles commenting on the app?
Unreal. Just unreal.
Did you verify this on MLB the Show first?
That’s really too bad. He was a nice late-career comeback story after his exit with the Cubs and Red Sox was seemingly the end.
And that is why Im not surprised by this. You see a guy get caught with PEDs, then have a few subpar seasons nearing a retirement age for a ball player, only to get hot again? As far as I’m concerned any hot hitter in this league these days is under suspicion, whether that is right or wrong that is the legacy the previous generation of players left them. It is also why I laugh at analysts talking about this guy or that guy changed their swing and they are killing the ball now or whatever.. Just makes them look foolish if that player gets nabbed.
“Nice late-career comeback stories” don’t happen. At least not honestly. Human bodies don’t work that way.
And the nefarious conspiracy to frame players for PED usage just keeps getting bigger.
Lets just move the Braves to Ohio and the Indians to Georgia.
We don’t want the Indians.
He’ll be 39 in August, his contract runs out this fall and he can’t play again until next Memorial Day….time to say good-bye, Marlon.
Are you a troll? There are a thousand reasons that deal sucks. First off indians couldnt absorb the payroll. Second atlanta isnt trading 70% of their team. You need to get a clue. Also ifa money atlanta doesnt care about they are blowing way past any alottment. Did you not see how the Dbacks got fleeced. Do you think he is trading 2 starting outfielders under club control for years. Plus give up teheran who is having one of the best seasons on the mound. They are not gonna just give cleveland what they need to win.
Uh yes, but don’t cherry pick to make your case considering the Tribe took on Chris Johnson and his huge salary ($19.5 mil) as well as kicked in $10 mil to help pay Swisher and Bourn.
Do you know why they call the Polish “Dumb” look in the mirror…LOL
First off dont call me an idiot. It isnt my fault your a moron. Second Your trade is almost as dumb as you. Why do you sya Teheran will be traded? Are you a gm? Are you really Dave Stewart? Because that is the level of stupidity you are on
Sounds good, all you have to do is go into the settings.ini file and add “FORCE_AI_TRADES=1” under the “[CHEATS]” section.
Edgar should get in the HOF before Ortiz. You can’t blame him because they didn’t win a WS. Before anyone says Edgar did not play enough in the field he played close to double the games at 3rd than Ortiz played at any position. Time to vote one of the all time best RH hitters into the HOF. You would think if they name the DH award after him that alone would make the case.
Agreed, but he only played in Seattle and not with Boston do people don’t know but he was a great player.
David Arias was signed out of HS by the Mariners and played in their farm system and was a PTBNL in a trade with Minnesota. So Ortiz did play for Seattle too. I really find it hard to believe the guys voting for the HOF don’t know who he is if they don’t they should not be allowed to vote. Doesn’t matter if the people on the East Coast who don’t think Seattle matters don’t know him it it’s about the NL guys who don’t consider it a position just like they used to not consider relief pitchers a position.
Dude, let your keyboard cool off for a few minutes
Dude, just stop. Even IF it was equally beneficial for both teams, 15 player trades between two teams will never happen.
There is a preponderance of ignorance on this thread. Between the conspiracy nuts, the guys who think they know something about the steroid testing that the rest of us don’t, and all the guys who think that its impossible for a hitter to stay clean and productive past 35 (WHILE FREAKING DH’ING!!!) this just goes to show you that even fans of the so called “thinking man’s game” can be total goofs..
if big Papi was an everyday player in the field, maybe, bit no. he’s a dh. sit down, wait your turn.
Any chance Indians take Ryan Howard to replace some of the pop they lose with bird maybe just as a pinch hitter? Save trash talk I know he blows but if Phillies pay all of remaining salary any chance we get something for him?
People go to Cavaliers games. They have a high payroll. People don’t go to Indians games. They have a low payroll. Hm
Not the first time Marlon…..
Why are non-malicious, relevant comments being removed? =(
Is that why none of my comments will post?
Has anyone thought that, maybe Ortiz and the staff or players (on the hottest mlb offense) just found a flaw in his swing to fix? Good hitting is contagious. Assume best intention
Marlon byrd’s career is obviously over.
Byrd hit a walk off HR off Verlander earlier in the season, can we replay that game? no? ok, what about the 2 playoffs where nelson cruz crushed the tigers. cruz is a goon, byrd is a goon, kick them out of baseball