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MLB’s Postseason Ineligibility Rule for First-Time Steroid Users is Dumb
By Kyle Pagan
Published:
Every couple of days I’m reminded how many stupid people there really are on the Internet. The latest instance relates to Jose Alvarado’s 80-game suspension, which isn’t an 80-game suspension because he can’t pitch in the playoffs. That’s a dumb rule and I can’t believe no one has ever made an argument that it’s not, but luckily for you I will:
So you’re telling me that Alvarado can come back in August and help the Phillies’ playoff chances, but he’s not allowed to help them in the playoffs? Make it make sense. This sounds like the same league that would decide a banned player is eligible for the Hall of Fame now that he’s dead. I get it, MLB has cracked down on steroids and they’ve done a good job, but 80 games is enough punishment, especially when the player will be back to help his team before the season is over.
When I tweeted this I couldn’t imagine the amount of dumbasses that would jump in the replies, but that’s me, an eternal optimist always seeing the best in people and things – including the Internet:
Yes we’d hate to see the great Edwin Diaz miss the playoffs against the Phillies:
Ngl, if you put “lol” in any tweet where you don’t agree with me you’re going to make my blood boil. You end a tweet with “lol” you’re the ultimate condescending douchebag. This guy wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I had no choice but to get mad. That and “be better” drives me up a wall. As you can gather, I’m a well-developed, secure individual:
It’s a fair punishment lol
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) May 18, 2025
But counterpoint: It’s not. This rule was adopted a decade ago when Jhonny Peralta was suspended 50 games, played in the playoffs for the Tigers, and then got rewarded with a 4 year/$50 million deal and players were upset. That’s when MLB instituted the 80 game suspension and ineligibility for the playoffs. That was back in 2014. Ruben Amaro Jr. was still the GM of the Phillies and Jonathan Papelbon was closing. We’re creating rules for career .267 hitter Jhonny fucking Peralta? This just feels like an overcorrection. How about more aggressive testing for players that get caught once for a number of years? Treat it like probation. Punish guys who get caught multiple times with a playoff ban because it makes more sense when MLB has a rule that a second failed PED test gets you a season-long ban.
I think the Braves’ Jurickson Profar should be allowed to play in the playoffs. He was suspended early in the season. He’s going to have the opportunity to majorly affect the Braves’ playoff chances the ENTIRE second half of the season and then he has to pack his bags when the calendar flips to October? If you don’t want guys who fail drug tests playing in the playoffs then make a first time failure a season-long suspension. Imagine if the NFL had these steroid protocols. Lane Johnson fails a test, he’s out half the season, and oh you have to come up with a backup plan because you won’t have your All-Pro right tackle the entire playoffs after he didn’t give up any sacks the entire year and helped win a division title. People would lose their minds. Not to mention, you think if Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge got popped this rule wouldn’t be thrown right out the window? I’ve got beachfront property in Iowa if that’s the case.
Alvarado did steroids and he should pay the price, but the missing playoffs caveat is stupid. Isn’t being suspended 80 games without pay and bonus pay in the playoffs while facing the ridicule from players, media, and fans for the rest of your career punishment enough? The way Hall of Fame voters stick their noses up at steroids too makes that now out of the question. This is going to have lasting effects for Alvarado way past 2025.
Do I even need to get into the fact that Julio Urias can join a team after the All-Star break and pitch in the playoffs after his second domestic violence suspension? That’s crazy. MLB comes down harder on guys for steroids than they do two-time abusers.
Kyle writes blog posts and does Man on the Street-style videos all around Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University (a basketball school) in 2015. contact: k.pagan@sportradar.com