After Philadelphia Phillies pitcher José Alvarado received an 80-game suspension, one MLB analyst called for accountability. While performance-enhancing drug use was rampant before the Mitchell Report, cases have slowed in recent years. Still, don’t expect it to disappear completely.
Players will always look for ways to beat the system—usually with excuses and half-hearted apologies. But those apologies often lack sincerity. When athletes dodge true accountability, it feels like they don’t care what the public thinks. Protected by fame and money, they’re insulated from the fallout. One MLB insider, a former general manager, called out the Phillies reliever for what he sees as a major character flaw.
José Alvarado Fails to Handle Suspension the Right Way, Says MLB Insider
Last week, Major League Baseball suspended Phillies reliever Alvarado for 80 games for using performance-enhancing drugs—substances that give players an illegal advantage. Losing a top reliever puts Philadelphia in a tough spot. Locked in a close NL East race with the New York Mets Mets, the Phillies can’t afford bullpen issues.
Last season, the Mets had success against Philadelphia’s bullpen. Now, with Alvarado out, the team must shuffle roles—and even worse, he’s banned from the postseason. That’s a massive blow, no matter how the regular season goes.
What caused the failed test? Alvarado said it was a weight-loss pill. One pill, one poor choice, and the Phillies’ playoff hopes take a major hit. That excuse didn’t sit well with MLB insider Jim Bowden. The former GM of the Reds and Nationals voiced his frustration on “The Foul Territory Podcast.”
"I don't know why players, if you make a mistake, can't go to the podium and just own up to it."@JimBowdenGM isn't picking up José Alvarado's $9M option after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. pic.twitter.com/OUAwSMUwwh
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV)
Every one of Bowden’s points hits home. A lefty closer with a triple-digit fastball and other plus pitches isn’t easy to find. Alvarado had converted all seven of his save chances this season, making him as reliable as it gets in late innings. Contenders need a shutdown closer—someone who slams the door when it matters.
MORE: Phillies General Manager Backs Alvarado After Suspension
Now, the Phillies may be forced to trade for a new closer, giving up top prospects to fix a problem that never should’ve existed. That’s a ripple effect sparked by one selfish decision.
Even if Alvarado returns later this year, he won’t be there when it matters most. The playoffs will go on without him. For a team chasing October, that’s the biggest loss of all.