New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez could avert a potential lifetime ban from Major League Baseball if he accepts a suspension that would prohibit him from playing until 2015, one baseball official with knowledge of the investigation told USA TODAY Sports.
The official was unauthorized to speak publicly about the situation since the talks are private.
A-ROD: Next stop is Class AA Trenton
MLB: Prepared to ban A-Rod for life
It remains to be seen whether Rodriguez and his team of attorneys will soften their stance of no negotiations and accept a ban that would result in a 217-game penalty — if implemented Friday — and a loss of $34.5 million in salary. Rodriguez would still be due $61 million in from 2015-2017, as well as a possible $30 million in bonuses — if he averts a lifetime suspension.