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He lied previously (saying he'd worked with the ass't hitting coach) and got called out for it during the season.

I thought it was just for pitchers who were given specific mechanical adjustments to make in the offseason, so they could check on their progress.

Seems like an odd idea to me, especially if defense is supposed to be important.

He's a realist. Player punishment will come in the form of boos from fans and lack of endorsement deals.

I've heard it said on MLB radio that the Astros swung at far fewer breaking balls at home than they did on the road in the 2017 playoffs. No idea if that led to better outcomes, but, if true it certainly changed their at bats.

It's never too late to punish people. Girardi should be suspended for a year.

If the manager knew it was going on and did not stop it, why should the players?

What was he going to do, tell Hinch and Luhnow? They already knew. And, as you say, it wasn't his place to step in.

On September 15, 2017, Manfred sent a letter to all general managers and managers in which he said that discovery of the use of technology for the purpose of stealing signs would result in substantial punishment. I think the fact that the letter was sent only to GMs and managers is why no one else has been (or will be) punished by MLB.

Maybe the other three just weren't worth remembering.

I'm guessing they want an experienced manager who can handle the press and the fans in 2020. That may be more important than having someone who is young and innovative. I wonder if Buck would take a one-year deal.

We should know in five months.

Depends.

They all got together and used a ouija board.

This would be the perfect time for Girardi to ask the Phillies for permission to interview with the Mets.

He already has a call in to Colby Rasmus, just in case.

He should insist on getting his boy Crush back.

A few thoughts (some of which may be correct): They can't punish the players until they have an agreement with the players association giving them authority to punish players for using technology to steal signs. Beltran was a player with the Astros, so he can't be punished for what happened in Houston. Houston waited to fire Luhnow and Hinch until MLB issued its report and fines. MLB skewered Luhnow and Hinch for not maintaining the integrity of the game, which surely is part of their contracts with the Astros. Since they violated their contracts, the Astros could fire them without having to pay them for the remainder of their deals. The Mets won't fire Beltran for what he did as a player in Houston. He did not violate his contract with the Mets. Had this come out earlier, they might not have hired him, but that's poison under the bridge. The unofficial rule on cheating in baseball remains the same: It's okay to cheat as long as no one notices or it doesn't work.

Can't help but wonder how many people in MLB and MLBPA knew it was going on and said nothing.

We'll have plenty of guys next month.

I guess he'll play on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

CF - Hays RF - Santander 1B - Nunez DH - Smith LF - Mountcastle 3B - Ruiz 2B - Alberto C - Sisco SS - Iglesias

The return of Reboulet.

I would like to be the halftime entertainment consultant, as it would give me plenty of free time and reward me for doing what I do best, being irrelevant.