MLB Levies Monster Punishment on Astros for Cheating Scandal and Suspends AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow for 2020 Season
By Jerry Trotta
At long last, justice has been served.
The Houston Astros have finally received their punishment from the MLB for their bombshell sign-stealing scheme over multiple seasons that helped them achieve massive success, cresting with the 2017 World Series.
Per league insider Jeff Passan, both general manager Jeff Luhnow and skipper AJ Hinch will be suspended for one year.
BREAKING: Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch have been suspended for one year after an MLB investigation found the team used technology to cheat during its World Series-winning 2017 season, sources familiar with the punishment tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020
Commissioner Rob Manfred and Co. will also swipe Houston's first- and second-round picks of the 2020 and 2021 drafts. Additionally, the franchise will be fined a sum of $5 million.
Talk about laying down the hammer.
Additionally, MLB will fine the Astros $5 million and take away their first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020
Passan also notes that NO Astros players will be disciplined by the league.
There was talk about whether or not Carlos Beltran, now the Mets manager, would be punished. But he was a player during his tenure with Houston and investigators determined that he, though very much a part of the scandal, will not be penalized.
The same, however, cannot be said for former Astros bench coach Alex Cora. Passan expects that the Red Sox skipper's punishment will be draconian.
No players were disciplined by Major League Baseball in the Astros' investigation. While Mets manager Carlos Beltran was part of it, he was a player at the time and thus was not suspended.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020
Discipline for Red Sox manager Alex Cora is coming. It is going to be harsh, per sources.
Fellow insider Mark Feinsand dropped another bomb related to the extended investigation.
Former assistant GM Brandon Taubman has also been suspended for one year for the disgraceful comments he uttered towards a group of female reporters in the Astros clubhouse during the postseason.
Also in MLB’s report: Former Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman has also been suspended one year for inappropriate conduct in the clubhouse.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 13, 2020
There you have it, folks.
Stay tuned for further developments that are sure to materialize in the wake of this monstrous revelation.