MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow for the 2020 season following an investigation into the team's practice of using electronic equipment to steal signs dating back to 2017 when they won the World Series. Upon receiving the news, Astros owner Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow.
Here are five observations of these developments.
First, the Astros will be the most hated team in MLB. Their every achievement - Jose Altuve's 2017 AL MVP campaign, Justin Verlander's 2019 AL Cy Young honors and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez will be called into question. They will be booed in every ballpark they visit. I'm sure some will refer to them as the Houston Assholes. And how will Astros fans react? Will they stay away in droves? It would not shock me if the Astros collapsed and finished dead last in the AL West.
Second, if the Astros are to save face then their new manager and GM must both have impeccable, unassailable credentials. This is particularly important for their next manager. While Hinch was not active in sign stealing he tolerated it. The next manager must be old school whose word is law and will not tolerate any tomfoolery. Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, Tony LaRussa, Jim Leyland come to mind. The next manager must be the new sheriff in town. As for their GM, I could see someone like former Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
Third, this might be but the tip of the iceberg. Prominently mentioned in the report was Alex Cora who was the Astros' bench coach in 2017. Cora, of course, was named manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018 winning a World Series title in his inaugural season. The Red Sox have come under scrutiny for stealing signs with electronic equipment and Cora is also under investigation by MLB. Given his central role in the sign stealing shenanigans in Houston in addition to Boston he might receive harsher discipline. With spring training only a month away, it is incumbent upon MLB to make a decision soon. Whatever their decision, it is unlikely to be a good one for the Bosox.
Fourth, New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran will be under scrutiny. Beltran was a member of the 2017 Astros and was active participant in the sign stealing scheme. Since he was a player at the time, Beltran is not subject to discipline. But Beltran is going to be watched as he begins his inaugural season as a big league manager. Unless, of course, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen gets cold feet, decides he doesn't want to be the next Luhnow and parts ways with Beltran.
Finally, if I'm a Los Angeles Dodgers fan I would be pissed. The Astros and Red Sox World Series triumphs came at the expense of the Dodgers. If this was the NCAA, the Astros and Red Sox would be stripped of their championships and awarded to the Dodgers. But this is MLB and Dodgers fans will feel cheated. If this doesn't motivate the Dodgers in 2020 then nothing will.
This could be MLB's biggest scandal in a century. Yes, the aftermath of the Black Sox took place 100 years ago. Plus ca change.
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