MLB Sending Memo to Dissuade Teams From Beaning Players is Curious Timing With Astros Scandal

The players on the Houston Astros got away scot-free after being granted immunity by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in the sign-stealing controversy. With no punishment being handed down to any member of the roster, that means Houston will be subjected to policing by opposing teams, who are frustrated with the whole ordeal.

Manfred indicated that any pitcher who intentionally hits a batter (not just on the Astros) will face severe punishment from the league. Now, details of how that will be determined have been revealed.

MLB insider Jon Heyman says that umpires will confer to determine if any pitch that hits a batter was intentional. Additionally, the manager will be held more accountable for the role.

MLB recently sent memo to teams laying out new steps to curb intentional hit-by-pitches. Umps will now confer to determine if they deem intent. Managers will be held more accountable for these incidents, too. Rule unrelated to Astros new concern, but they should welcome change.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 19, 2020

As Heyman points out, the rule is unrelated to the Astros.

The creation of this new rule stems from the second bench-clearing brawl between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates. The season-long beef between the two NL Central rivals escalated due to managers David Bell and Clint Hurdle instructing their pitchers to bean the opposition. The end result saw the nasty fracas this past summer.

While Astros have to like new stronger enforcement against intentional HBPs, the impetus was not their new concerns but rather issues from 2019, including 2nd Pirates-Reds brawl. It’s pet project of Chris Young who sought to increase onus on managers to reduce danger to players.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 19, 2020

Even so, the timing of these new league-wide steps is too convenient. Manfred stressed that he didn't want the 29 opposing teams from policing the Astros for their role in the sign-stealing scandal, which netted them the World Series title in 2017. Instead, the public backlash from fans and players is punishment enough, according to the commish.

That's easy to say now, but considering the vitriol growing against Houston, it will remain to be seen if the rest of the league heeds Manfred's words. Expect teams to pay the fines for their players and managers for retaliating against the now-disgraced Astros franchise.