As MLB executives huddled amongst each other at the General Manager Meetings last week, an issue that garnered plenty of attention was the Houston Astros’ alleged use of a camera to steal signs from opponents at Minute Maid Park during the 2017 season.
Former Astros-turned Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers first brought light to the matter by detailing Houston’s installation of a camera in center field that captured signs from opposing catchers.
Astros employees were then able to decode the signs and relay to batters which pitches to expect by banging loudly on a trash can. The allegations sparked a discussion among the general managers in which they questioned whether cameras should be banned at every MLB ballpark.
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been hesitant to reflect on what impact that may have had on the 2017 World Series, but did concede there were concerns and whispers of the Astros’ possible cheating.
As for the Dodgers’ effort to avoid their signs being stolen, Friedman emphasized it needs to be made without bogging players down, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
“My biggest thing is trying to make sure we have a sign system that our guys feel comfortable with, that won’t create mass paranoia,” Friedman said. “We want our players going out and playing the game and not being bogged down by that. You have to do something on the front end to make them feel as comfortable as possible with different signs. From our standpoint, it’s trying to make it as small of a distraction as possible.”
Friedman additionally noted he believed the Dodgers have improved in protecting their signs over recent seasons.
Although indications are the Astros carried out the practice at home, former Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish wondered whether the Astros were able to steal signs at Dodger Stadium. His two rough outings in the Fall Classic were previously attributed to tipping his pitches.
While it remains to be seen whether MLB will punish the Astros in light of the allegations against them, some general managers hope there are serious repercussions for their actions.
The organization could be subject to significant fines, the loss of draft picks and suspensions to those that played a part in the scheme.
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