Report: MLB panel ‘deadlocked’ on treatment for Josh Hamilton
The fate of Josh Hamilton will rest in the hands of a single arbitrator, according to Mike DiGiovanna and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
The four-person panel put together to decide whether Hamilton should enter a rehabilitation program for substance abuse following his recent admitted relapse reached a stalemate on Wednesday and remained deadlocked as of the Times report. The original panel was reportedly made up of two attorneys and two physicians, one of each appointed by the commissioner’s office and the players’ union. It’s unclear how the fifth and decisive arbitrator would will be selected.
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The panel’s first job was to decide whether Hamilton violated MLB’s drug policy. Based on Hamilton’s admission they were able to reach an agreement there in short order. Once they moved on to the treatment phase, however, it became a lot more complicated to sort out. With neither side showing a willingness to budge, a fifth arbitrator will be called in.
Obviously, it’s a decision that’s not to be taken lightly, as there are wide-ranging implications for all involved. Most importantly, it’s important to make sure Hamilton receives the attention he needs and is able to move forward with a healthy state of mind. But there’s always a business side as well.
As the Times story notes, if Hamilton is sent to rehab, he would receive his full salary for 30 days, and then half his salary over the next 30 days. If he’s suspended and is not ordered to rehab, Hamilton would not be paid during the suspension. With Hamilton due to make $25 million in 2015, that determination could make a huge difference depending on the length of the suspension.
In the meantime, MLB is still trying to determine whether Hamilton should be charged as a first-time offender or a fourth-time offender of the league’s drug policy. The latter would result in a full-season suspension. Hamilton is known to have failed no less than six drug tests as a minor leaguer with the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s unclear how many of those came while Hamilton was on the Rays 40-man roster. Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com says that was the case for his first suspension in 2003, so that could prove significant.
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For now though we’re moving one phase at a time. Once a decision is reached on treatment, we’ll know which questions to ask next regarding Hamilton’s future on and off the field.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
