Alex Rodriguez, MLB try to reach fair suspension deal

After Alex Rodriguez's alleged performance-enhancing drug offenses, the MLB is trying to find a fair suspension term.

Rodriguez is one of several players accused of being clients of Biogenesis, a clinic in Florida that administered the drugs. Nine of the players are preparing to accept 50-game bans within the next few days.

Initially, Rodriguez and the MLB were expected to have a stalemate, as he said he would fight any suspension at all. The MLB was reportedly offering Rodriguez a one-year suspension, and if he refused the suspension, he would be banned from the league for life.

Now, Rodriguez is asking why he should be singled out while other players are out just 50 games, which suggested he might be open to compromise after all. The 50-game bans are expected to be announced by Sunday to keep the penalties within this baseball season.

Those bans would at least allow the players to return for postseason play. The players handed the bans are likely to accept them for fear of an increase to a 100-game ban. Those players include Jhonny Peralta, Jesus Montero, Evereth Cabrera, Nelson Cruz and Francisco Cervelli, plus minor-leaguers Fernando Martinez, Fautino de los Santos, Jordan Norberto and Cesar Puello.

With Rodriguez, commissioner Bud Selig has already stated the potential for a lifetime ban, or a suspension that lasts through 2014. Rodriguez fans are hoping the two find somewhere in the middle to avoid a public fiasco.

Rodriguez's attorneys are expected to soften their stance of no negotiations, and accept a 217-game penalty and a loss of $34.5 million in salary. He would still be eligible for $61 million from 2015-2017, and a potential $30 million in bonuses.