Michael Cuddyer latest player to call for stiffer PED penalties

Per MLB's Joint Drug Program, players testing positive for a banned substance receive a 50-game suspension for a first offense, a 100-game suspension for a second offense and a permanent suspension (with the possibility of "discretionary reinstatement" after two years) for a third offense. Penalties for stimulant use are somewhat less severe.

While MLB's disciplinary provisions are stricter than, say, those of the NFL, a number of current players would like to see harsher penalties in place. Now you can count Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer as being among them. Troy Renck of the Denver Post gives the specifics of what Cuddyer would like to see:

Cuddyer wants a one-year suspension for the first positive test and a lifetime ban for the second.

"I think 100 percent guys would be for it. I can't speak for everybody, but listening to certain guys' comments and talking to certain guys, I think guys would be all for stiffer penalties," said Cuddyer, 33, who is entering his 13th season in the majors, second with the Rockies. "That's a full year's pay and then you can never play again. If that's not a deterrent, I don't know what is."

It's indeed possible that you'll eventually see stiffer provisions adopted. As much as observers like to beat up on the MLBPA about their approach to the PED issue, the union reflects and represents the will of its constituents -- i.e., the players. If enough of them agree with Cuddyer -- and he seems to believe he's got plenty of company -- then at some point you'll see changes made to the policy through the collective-bargaining process.

(Wink of CBS eye: BBTF)

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