( CNN ) -- Alex Rodriguez says his record contract makes him an attractive target for a baseball ban or suspension , and may play a major role in his current woes . The slugger with a stellar batting average faces allegations involving the use of performance-enhancing drugs ( PEDs ) . ESPN reported he is in negotiations with Major League Baseball over a possible suspension of his contract , the largest in the history of American sports . `` There is more than one party that benefits from me not ever stepping back on the field -- and that 's not my teammates and it 's not the Yankee fans , '' Rodriguez said Friday night at a news conference in Trenton , New Jersey , following a minor-league game that was supposed to prepare him to rejoin the New York Yankees . Watch : A-Rod negotiating with MLB on suspension . He would not specify the parties that stood to gain from banning him over the PED scandal , but he said , `` when all this stuff is going on in the background and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract and stuff like that , I think that 's concerning for me . '' Rodriguez , a three-time American League Most Valuable Player , and the Yankees signed the 10-year deal for $ 275 million in 2007 . All about A-Rod . Rodriguez , 38 , has missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing hip surgery . He could return to the Yankees after a second rehab game in Trenton on Saturday . He has admitted in the past to using performance-enhancing drugs , but he also has denied taking any after 2003 . He has never been suspended by the league for a drug violation . Opinion : Do n't let baseball 's dopes spoil the game . CNN '' s Elwyn Lopez contributed to this report .
A-Rod complains of `` creative ways to cancel your contract '' Slugger has 10-year deal with Yankees for $ 275 million . Rodriguez could return to Yankees soon after season-long injury recovery . TL;DR Alex Rodriguez, who is expected back in the Bronx on Monday, will be paid $27.5 million, a record amount that would make him one of baseball's highest-paid players. Baseball officials negotiating with him for suspension .