Major League Baseball continues to investigate the bombshell allegations that surfaced against the Houston Astros last week, and commissioner Rob Manfred hinted on Tuesday that the punishment could be severe if it is determined that they did, in fact, steal signs electronically.
While speaking at the start of the MLB owners’ meetings, Manfred alluded to the memos he issued to teams regarding sign stealing prior to the start of last season, which stated that future violations could be subject to sanctions like the loss of draft picks. He basically indicated he has the power to drop the hammer on teams depending on the extent of the violation.
Manfred on potential discipline: "The general warning I issued to the clubs I stand by. It certainly could be all of those things, but my authority under the major league constitution would be broader than those things as well.”
Translation: He has the authority to hammer teams.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 19, 2019
Manfred on the gravity of the allegations against the Astros: “Any allegations that relate to a rule violation that could affect the outcome of a game or games is the most serious matter. … We have … what is going to be a really, really thorough investigation ongoing."
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 19, 2019
Manfred also said he has no reason to believe the league needs to be looking at any teams other than the Astros at this time.
As the owners' meetings begin, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the sign-stealing scandal. A few highlights.
As to whether other teams are involved as well, he said: "I have no reason to believe it extends beyond the Astros at this point in time.”
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 19, 2019
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were fined two years ago for violations involving sign stealing, though the tactics they employed were not nearly as egregious as what is being uncovered about the Astros. Given the extent of the video evidence we have already seen that shows what was going on in Houston, it would be a surprise if the sanctions against the Astros aren’t far more severe than what we saw with the Red Sox.
