Former MLB stars say drug policy too soft

• Former players want stricter penalties for first-time offenders
• Former players say the 50-game suspension for first-time drug offenders isn't enough
• Padres' Yasmani Grandal is the latest player to be suspended

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Several former major league stars lashed out Wednesday at Major League Baseball's drug policy, wanting stricter penalties for first-time offenders after San Diego Padres rookie catcher Yasmani Grandal's drug suspension for testosterone use.

Former All-Stars Fred McGriff and Mark Mulder advocated that a 50-game suspension for first-time drug offenders wasn't enough to provide a deterrent to using performance-enhancing drugs.

"The money is so big, and 50 games is nothing," McGriff told USA TODAY Sports, "to just say you are sorry and keep going. I just want the game cleaned up."

Mulder thinks anyone caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be banned for life.

"All sports (just not baseball)," Mulder said in a tweet message, "seriously needs to just change to one strike and you're done. Maybe these guys won't take illegal stuff."

Grandal, 23, who won the Padres' everyday catching job in the second half, hit .297 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 192 at-bats. He was projected to be the Padres' everyday catcher.

"I'm surprised and very disappointed," Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said, "to see a player like him put himself at risk like this. He made a really strong impression last year and was starting to emerge as a leader on our team.

"From a baseball standpoint, not having him for 50 games stinks."

Grandal telephoned Byrnes and apologized and in a statement said, "I am responsible for what I put into my body. I must accept responsibility for my actions."

Brian Sabean, general manager of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, lost All-Star Game MVP Melky Cabrera for the rest of the season in August when he tested positive for testosterone.

"You have players, young and old, looking at this," Sabean says, "and saying, 'Is it worth the risk?' You ask yourself, 'Why?'"

Said Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers: "We're catching people — probably less than years ago — but people still think they can buck the system. … I think the rules that exist are good. It will certainly impact the Padres."