MLB news roundup: League interfered with state investigation; Orioles willing to deal J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters
While Alex Rodriguez was busy missing his interview with an MLB investigator on Friday, news broke that the league got in the way of a Florida state investigation into Biogenesis.
The biggest news of the day on Friday was the alleged interference by Major League Baseball of a Florida Department of Health investigation into the actions of Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch. MLB purchased documents from the clinic despite knowing they were obtained illegally and being warned not to do so, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Fish.
An MLB official denied any wrongdoing, per Fish, while a Florida Department of Health spokesman released a statement saying the unit was able to complete its investigation.
Alex Rodriguez was scheduled for an interview Friday with MLB investigators regarding his appeal of a 211-game suspension, but was unable to participate due to an illness, according to ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews.
Rodriguez might not testify at all, per Matthews, for fear of further indicting himself. If Rodriguez’s appeal is denied and he is found to have been lying during the investigation process, MLB could tack on 100 games to the suspension, notes Matthews.
The Baltimore Orioles are drawn to free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and might be willing to sell off a pair of key pieces to create the necessary payroll flexibility, according to multiple reports.
Baltimore has discussed a possible deal involving Hardy with Beltran's former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Putting Wieters, who is two years away from free agency and is in line for another salary increase through arbitration, on the trade market would free up space and net a solid return. It would also get the Orioles closer to the possibility of reaching long-term agreements with Chris Davis and Manny Machado.
The Minnesota Twins plan to make a push for free-agent starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Nolasco reportedly has a few four-year offers, one of which might be from the Giants, who are also interested in the 30-year-old native of California, per Twins beat reporter Mike Berardino.
