Major League Baseball came down hard on the Astros for sign-stealing during the team’s 2017 World Series season. Then, owner Jim Crane further dropped the hammer.
Monday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were each suspended without pay for the 2020 season. Crane announced later that he has dismissed both men from their positions with his ball club. Joe Espada has been named the interim manager in Houston for 2020.
MLB’s punishment includes the Astros having to forfeit their first- and second-round draft picks in both the 2020 and 2021 drafts and MLB also fined the team $5 million, which is the maximum fine allowed.
Additionally, former Assistant GM Brandon Taubman, who was dismissed by the Astros following insensitive commentary targeted at female reporters, has been suspended one year. Taubman is not currently working for a team and is not eligible to do so during that time. His suspension is effective immediately.
MLB investigated the club after a report by The Athletic detailed the way it used a camera positioned in the outfield to detect signs. Players in a room with a monitor showing the video would relay signs to batters by banging on a trash can.
The results of the investigation reveal that the efforts were primarily player-driven, but that former bench coach and current Red Sox manager Alex Cora was involved in the setup. The investigation followed a detailed report by The Athletic on the cheating. MLB is currently still investigating the red sox after a similar report by the same outlet.
Discipline for Cora is reportedly coming and, “will be harsh,” according to ESPN.