MLB Reportedly Isn't Investigating Any Sign-Stealing Allegations Against Yankees for 2018 and 2019
By Michael Luciano
Ken Rosenthal's bombshell report on the sign stealing escapades of the Boston Red Sox paired with the months of leaks related to the Houston Astros' network of transgressions should make for some lengthy suspensions.
The New York Yankees, however, could get away scot free. MLB is not investigating the Yankees for sign stealing over the last two years, and have not been made aware of any attempts to do so, according to Andy Martino.
To be clear, MLB is not investigating or aware of any allegations against the Yankees for sign stealing in 2018 or 2019, as they are with Red Sox.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 7, 2020
The Yankees were fined in 2017 for their use of an Apple Watch to steal signs, but it looks like they will escape what could be some precedent-setting harsh penalties that will be doled out to the Astros and Red Sox.
New York's wrongdoings appear to end after 2017, however, which is when MLB made clear these sorts of activities (including inappropriate use of the replay room) were against league rules. It's the Red Sox and Astros' continued system of rule-breaking after said warning which is under investigation.
If what has been reported about both franchises is true, it's understandable as to why the league is going to come down as hard as they are anticipated to do.
Worth noting: Players are not being targeted for discipline. Front-office and on-field personnel, who were read into league-issued memos clearly stating they would be held accountable for tech-based cheating, are. That includes Red Sox manager Alex Cora: https://t.co/wYSUhGSdvB
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 7, 2020
Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for the moment, as only their two biggest obstacles to a World Series berth will be put under the MLB's microscope.