Despite there being much more movement on the free agency and trade fronts when compared to a year ago, most of the headlines this past offseason centered around the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and the repercussions that followed.
Significant penalties were levied against the organization, including a $5 million fine, the loss of draft picks, and suspensions to former general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch.
Luhnow and Hinch were subsequently fired by Astros owner Jim Crane, setting a precedent for the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets to part ways with Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran, respectively, as well.
As the attention shifted to the 2020 season, MLB and the MLBPA were believed to be working on an agreement to limit video usage by teams going forward. Many clubs are also taking precaution by altering their sign systems in order to prevent potential sign-stealing from occurring again.
Manager Dave Roberts recently revealed the Los Angeles Dodgers were in the process of developing multiple sign systems for pitchers and catchers during Spring Training, via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Alden Gonzalez:
“We’ve been working on getting a handle on multiple sign systems, and probably getting some type of card that [the pitcher] and the catcher have to be able to kind of choose which system they use, and can be able to change it at any point in time, whether it be within an at-bat or change of an inning, whenever they want.”
Even before MLB concluded its three-month and investigation and determined that the Astros electronically stole signs during the 2017 season, the Dodgers were suspicious of the organization’s unorthodox sign-stealing methods.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was wary of the Astros heading into the 2017 World Series, citing previous whispers that the club had a tendency to go above and beyond the usual sign-stealing practices.
Alex Wood later revealed that he often changed his signs with Austin Barnes during his Game 4 start against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The decision proved effective, as he allowed just one run and one hit in 5.2 innings of work.
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