No an A-Rod defended, but so did Melky Cabrera when he set up a fake website to throw MLB off the track, and he still only got 50 games. Either this is personal, this is the Yankees bidding, or some combination of the two.
Do the Yankees want to get out from under ARod's contract? Damn right. Have they played a role in this? No f'in way.
Is it personal? Perhaps. It was unquestionably personal for Braun, and MLB took a moderate course. It's really is a case of let's see what you have Bud. Until more details come out about the actual "obstruction" it's purely speculation on everyone's part. I have to believe that MLB has the goods; otherwise why would
everyone else forego an appeal. ARod has more to lose than anyone, and has plenty of $ to fight this. It's a PR war, and despite arguably taking PEDs for years and blatantly lying, he seems to amazingly have supporters.
ARod provoked the Yankees, leading to the "Mr." Rodriguez mention.
ARod said he didn't feel right, the team sent him to a specialist, then
ARod arranged for some jerk to go on FAN and contradict the team's doctor, although he'd never met ARod.
ARod then claimed the Yankees were conspiring to keep him off the field, leading to Cashman's comments..