A-Rod in #BALCO part II? Have fun #Yankees!

Boy, this is a biggie. New York Yankees injured former superstar third baseman Alex Rodriguez is allegedly in the eye of the storm of a doping scheme that rivals Barry Bonds and his alleged BALCO roiding and whatever program.

And, it's not just A-Rod. Per Jeff Passan's story, linked above other people who have had past suspensions for PED violations, including Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon, are also rumored to be involved.

The records of players' use, given to the New Times by a former employee at Bosch's Biogenesis clinic, are especially detailed in the cases of Rodriguez and Cabrera. Rodriguez, referred to as "Alex Rodriguez," "Alex Rod" or "Cacique," received HGH, testosterone cream and insulin-like growth factor, all banned under MLB's PED policy. He also was given "troches," a lozenge that has 15 percent testosterone, and other types of growth hormone, according to the report. 

Ahh, we even have a "cream"! Guess that tells us more about Bonds' "cream" too, eh?

And, not to look biased, but, by A-Rod's one nickname, the name for the lozenges, the names of others involved, and the Miami location, this is clearly a Latino-focused operation and probably extends deep into Caribbean baseball.

But, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Here's the Miami New Times original story with much more.

The starting point indeed makes the same comparison as mine. It also wonders how much "good" crackdowns in general have done:

The story of how Anthony Bosch built the East Coast version of BALCO — the notorious California lab that provided baseball greats such as Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds with steroids — doesn't just shine a harsh light on America's drug-addled pro sports. It also makes clear that federal crackdowns have done little to police anti-aging clinics, which earn millions annually from average citizens wanting to look younger and from elite athletes seeking an edge.

Back to the A-Rod angle.

New Times teases us before getting to the specific goods it claims it has on him:

Take, for instance, one patient list from Bosch's 2009 personal notebook. It charts more than 50 clients and notes whether they received their drugs by delivery or in the office, how much they paid, and what they were taking.

There, at number seven on the list, is Alex Rodriguez. He paid $3,500, Bosch notes. Below that, he writes, "1.5/1.5 HGH (sports perf.) creams test., glut., MIC, supplement, sports perf. Diet." HGH, of course, is banned in baseball, as are testosterone creams.

That's not the only damning evidence against A-Rod, though. Another document from the files, a loose sheet with a header from the 19th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine, lays out a full regimen under the name Cacique: "Test. cream... troches prior to workout... and GHRP... IGF-1... pink cream."

IGF-1 is a banned substance in baseball that stimulates insulin production and muscle growth. Elsewhere in his notebook, Bosch spells out that his "troches," a type of drug lozenge, include 15 percent testosterone; pink cream, he writes, is a complex formula that also includes testosterone. GHRP is a substance that releases growth hormones.

Indeed, BALCO East, BALCO II or whatever seems very, very true. Other drug "cocktails" get mentioned further on in.

Now, the A-Rod future angle?

Add on that the players' union just agreed to testing for human growth hormone, and this story is going nowhere but bigger.

And, A-Rod is even more of an albatross around Yankee necks than ever. Ian O'Conner wonders if Brian Cashman might try to get A-Rod's contract voided on fraud grounds. Given that MLB had steroid testing rules in place at the time he opted out and went for an extension, it's not beyond the realm of probability to try it. It might not be such a "lost cause."

An ESPN staff report says it's under consideration:

While the Yankees officially say they will wait for the situation to play out, baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com that the team will try to find an avenue to void Rodriguez's contract -- which runs for five more years and $114 million -- if MLB disciplines him.

That said, the players' union would back him to the hilt, as stinky as it would be.

The league, meanwhile, claims it's been extensively involved with the issue all along.

Through our Department of Investigations, we have been actively involved in the issues in South Florida.  It is also important to note that three of the players allegedly involved have already been disciplined under the Joint Drug Program. ...

We remain fully committed to following all leads and seeking the appropriate outcomes for all those who use, purchase and are involved in the distribution of banned substances, which have no place in our game.

Yeah, right. Especially since beyond that, the statement was a "no comment."

Maybe the Bronx Bombers need to think seriously along the lines of my idea of a David Freese (and others as necessary) for CC Sabathia trade.

And.,the Toronto Blue Jays' recent free-agent signing of Cabrera now isn't such a good deal, if he gets a full-year suspensoin.

Finally, cue up the Jayson Stark hypocrisy alert.

This week, he wants to make roiders feel more pain.

Three weeks ago, he wanted to vote Bonds and Roger Clemens into the Hall of Fame.

Which is it, Jayson? Further thoughts here.