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Glaus Implicated For Steroid Use
Here at MLBTR I mostly try to avoid steroid posts unless they have implications for the hot stove. In the case of Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus, a steroid connection definitely crosses into our realm. It was recently revealed at SI.com that Glaus received steroids in 2003-04.
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It appears that steroid use played a large role in Glaus's contracts. We may never know whether his home run crown in 2000 was influenced by performance-enhancing drugs. But that season led the Angels to lock him up through his arbitration years at four years, $22MM.
In July of 2003, Glaus landed awkwardly trying to field a Julio Lugo bunt. This was first labeled a bruise, but the ultimate result was a partial tear of his rotator cuff and a frayed labrum. He was shut down for the rest of '03 but chose rehab over surgery. Glaus actually lost weight that winter. He got off to a decent start in '04 but by May elected to have the surgery. That he made it back onto the field by September may have been aided by steroids. He hit seven home runs that month.
It's tough to say whether any teams suspected Glaus of steroid use at that point. I often wonder to what extent these kinds of rumors float around inside the game and whether they influence GM decisions. The Angels decided to let Glaus leave via free agency in favor of Dallas McPherson. Did they know anything? The Dodgers, Red Sox, Mets, Tigers, and Orioles all had interest in Glaus during the winter of 2004-05. He wound up with Arizona for four years, $45MM. That level of interest says to me that teams did not suspect Glaus of steroid use.
Looking to shed salary just one season into Glaus's contract, the D'Backs sent him to Toronto in December of '05. An $11.25MM player option for '09 was added to convince him to waive his no-trade clause.
The Jays made Glaus available this summer, but the lack of interest was surprising. $24MM over 2008-09 isn't prohibitive for a power bat. Glaus cleared waivers in August - no team risked a claim. Even given Glaus's full no-trade clause, the market's apathy toward him seemed odd. I wonder if perhaps there was already a buzz within the game regarding his steroid use.
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not steroids, HGH
Posted by: was385 | September 07, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Ankiel is HGH, Glaus is for Steroids
Posted by: dodgersfan1 | September 07, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Theres no reason to believe Glaus did steroids until there is proof directly from the MLB... not just a random rumor off of a website. This is all complete speculation right now and it's pathetic.
Posted by: Grant77 | September 07, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Huh, now can we look at the "Incredible Shrinking First-Baseman ~ West Coast Edition" (not to be confused it Giambi) and prove Erstad did too...
Hey Mo, thanks for your influence on the 2000 Club!
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 07, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Grant, what are you talking about? SI.com isn't a random website, and they wouldn't put their reputation on the line with "complete speculation." The report has all the details. It wasn't speculation and wasn't made up.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | September 07, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Wait a minute, are you telling me that professional baseball players are taking an illegal substance that can make them better and earn them mult-million dollar contracts???
No way, that is just waaaaaaay to preposterous for me to believe.
Posted by: DonCoburleone | September 07, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Why can't we just accept the fact that the cheaters are always 1 step ahead of the pursuers and we should just watch the games for the purpose they are intended for: ENTERTAINMENT. Why do we have to turn this into a witch-hunt? For every person in MLB who gets named their are 5 others who are using and DONT get named... And of the players who do get named or implicated I'm sure there is a small % who never took anything...
Posted by: DonCoburleone | September 07, 2007 at 03:57 PM
I think Grant is either Troy Glaus" relative, or his partner in life.
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 07, 2007 at 03:57 PM
It was interesting, I had some family out here from Arizona last year, and while they were in town, the D Backs were here playing the Yankees. We went into this bar/grill in this city hotel where the backs were staying too. I was talking with a few of their players about the whole steroids thing, asking if it is all true or whats really going on. One of looked at me and says, "every clubhouse has them, and its more guys then you wana know kid, more guys then you ever wana know." I had always basically known that, but coming from the mouth of a player it seems more believable. If baseball ever finds out all the people who did steroids, they will probably lose like 20 percent of their fanbase once names start to fall, because nopbody is going to want to hear that the David Wrights, Derek Jetes, Grady Sizemores, ALbert Pujols and Arods are cheating. Nothing good can come from this. Baseball just needs to try as hard as the want to get this stuff out of the game, but these witch hunts will serve no purpose (even if they ever do find the motherload of names), besides damaging their relationship with fans.
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 07, 2007 at 04:03 PM
I'm going with the partner in life....I think a his relatives are far too disappointed right now...
Posted by: Aduncaroo | September 07, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Why doesn't MLB just mandate that everyone be on HGH, then the playing field will be even... I mean, if these guys are willing to risk their future health for a big payday right now, why not let them? It ain't hurtin' anyone else...
Posted by: DonCoburleone | September 07, 2007 at 04:17 PM
You made a comment asking "Do GMs care if a player takes steroids"
Damn if Steve Phillips didn't answer this question somewhere, basically saying no he didn't when he ran the Mets. I wish I could find it.
Posted by: jg | September 07, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Thats why Steve Phillips is working on Baseball tonight now. Steve Phillips hatred for the Mets is comical, accept when he is taking time to pat himself on the back for Reyes.
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 07, 2007 at 04:45 PM
I dunno...I know Phillips takes a lot of abuse but I don't mind the guy. I feel like there's a minimum knowledge to be a GM, and some of the former player announcers don't have it.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | September 07, 2007 at 04:57 PM
No I really have nothing against the guy, I thought he did an okay job with the Mets, and he got us to the WS, so I really cant complain. You dont find that he abuses the Mets at every oppurtunity he gets though? I think it was like 2 weeks ago he said the BRaves were going to run away with the east and the rockies and mariners were going to win the WC's. The one thing I wish Phillips would have done was go harder after Vlad. His back is looking pretty good 4 years later, but whatever. I dont dislike Phillips I just find his bitterness towards the Mets amusing.
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 07, 2007 at 05:03 PM
No offence Tim but I think the decreased interest is because of the plantar fascitis and prolonged slump and general brittleness. GM's like to buy players doing well who are currently health. Glaus, a good player for sure, has had neither of those this year.
Also we don't know if it was just to aid him in healing during those surgeries.
But this has implications for his trade value, his value as a player; and I guess there's an outside chance he gets suspended, though I don't think that would happen, but maybe he'll get the Giambi treatment.
Posted by: Guitar Hero | September 07, 2007 at 06:44 PM
Does sports illustrated test for steroids? The answer is no, the MLB does. Until the MLB releases evidence of a positive test, then I choose not to believe this speculation. I have a right to my opinion.
Posted by: Grant77 | September 07, 2007 at 09:31 PM
That is some funny crap. The story says he had steroids sent to him, it doesn't see he took them.
I have a right to say facts are wrong. I do not believe in gravity, and damn it this Extenze is working.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | September 08, 2007 at 11:56 AM
"Why doesn't MLB just mandate that everyone be on HGH, then the playing field will be even... I mean, if these guys are willing to risk their future health for a big payday right now, why not let them? It ain't hurtin' anyone else..."
That's a great idea! I'll just start my kids on a HGH regimen while they're still 7 & under. You know, since it's the only way a person can succeed in sports. Do they make that in ice cream form? After all, it won't hurt anyone else, right?
Posted by: pinetarhand | September 08, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Grant77, did you read the article? I think it would be kinda hard to argue against it if they have copies of prescriptions in your name sent to your house over years. He would still be only one of hundreds of players to do so, but the evidence sounds like much stronger than just speculation...
I think Kruk said it best, if its that important to you then just put an asterik on everything from 80-2005 and be done with it because even the clean guys have had their numbers effected. Kinda sad, but its the way it is and nothing we can do about it now...
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 09, 2007 at 03:38 AM
Grant77, did you read the article? I think it would be kinda hard to argue against it if they have copies of prescriptions in your name sent to your house over years. He would still be only one of hundreds of players to do so, but the evidence sounds like much stronger than just speculation...
I think Kruk said it best, if its that important to you then just put an asterik on everything from 80-2005 and be done with it because even the clean guys have had their numbers effected. Kinda sad, but its the way it is and nothing we can do about it now...
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 09, 2007 at 03:38 AM
My friend is good friends with a mid-tier pitcher in the AL, and it astounded me the amount of rumors even the friend was aware of, which tells me that the players all know who does what but aren't talking, which is kind of sad...or EVERYBODY is on SOMETHING and they can't talk.
Specifically, the friend mentioned that it was going around the league this year that Tejada has a slow bat because he's off the juice. Of course this is hearsay, but it's interesting nonetheless.
Posted by: chrishickman | September 09, 2007 at 07:42 PM
"Of course this is hearsay, but it's interesting nonetheless."
By interesting you mean not interesting at all right?
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | September 10, 2007 at 12:54 AM