MLB and the MLBPA "struck an agreement" early in the Astros sign-stealing investigation that "granted immunity in exchange for honest testimony" on behalf of the players, according to sources cited by Jared Diamond of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The news provides a "simpler explanation for why no players were penalized" as part of the scandal. The sources said that the league was "quick to make such an offer," in part because it "did not believe it would win subsequent grievances with any players it attempted to discipline." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's statement said that the Astros' front office "never discussed with players the league's admonitions against using electronic devices to steal signs." Diamond writes the deal is a "sign of MLB's desire for a speedy and conflict-free investigation, the continuing power of the baseball players' union and the fragile state of the sport's labor relations." The promise of amnesty "allowed the league to interview 23 current and former Astros players during the two-month investigation." MLB "wanted to avoid grievances altogether because of how they would have hindered the investigation." Under the MLB CBA, the MLBPA "couldn’t stop MLB from interviewing players in relation to the case." But the union "could exert some influence on the scheduling of those interviews, potentially grounding the entire investigation to a halt." Once the parties did talk, players "might not have been forthright in their responses if they feared repercussions that would impact their earnings or playing status" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/22).
KEEPING THINGS TRANSPARENT: Manfred said the league wanted to be "transparent about" what the Astros investigation showed and "let our fans make their own decision about what happened.” Manfred said four "really accomplished baseball people” -- former Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, former Red Sox manager Alex Cora and former Mets manager Carlos Beltran – “lost their jobs over this,” and “nobody likes to see that happen.” Manfred: “But I do think it’s the kind of message that will serve as a deterrent for this behavior going forward” (“Mornings with Maria,” Fox Business, 1/22).
There has been inconsistency across MLB as to the location of team replay personnel during gamesGETTY IMAGES
FIXING THE ISSUE: THE ATHLETIC's Evan Drellich noted MLB will have a "revised policy addressing electronic sign-stealing" in '20 that "could produce significant change." The league's hope is to "finalize its policy as soon as possible." Before Spring Training "would be ideal, but the key is to have something in place" by the beginning of the regular season on March 26. Not every change "would necessarily require the involvement" of the MLBPA, but bilateral agreement is "always preferred, and the union and the league are having talks about how to proceed." During last season, there was "inconsistency across the sport as to the location of team replay personnel," but MLB "could mandate that, at each park, those officials be stationed somewhere completely removed and distant from all other player operations and tasks." At least one of the technological solutions the league has considered "would involve giving not only the pitcher and the catcher a wrist device, but also infielders." With every pitch, the device "would generate a new sign sequence" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/20). In Dallas, Evan Grant reports one possibility will be "simply removing the temptation of using it at all, by making all video off limits once the game starts." Rangers manager Chris Woodward said, "Common sense would say, ‘OK, let’s just get rid of it all.’" He added, "I wouldn’t love it; I’d rather have the tool than not have it. ... But if you say nobody gets access to it, I wouldn’t be against that" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/22).
