Astros sign stealing suspensions

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by packs

I found the Astros punishment to be really weak. I mean, 5 million dollar fine? That's like fining me 5 bucks. If they really wanted to end cheating tomorrow, they'd lower the Astros luxury tax threshold by 30 million for the next decade and let them bleed.

$5mil is the maximum allowed by the league constitution.

[clydepepper]

Big WOW!!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Also took first two picks in draft for next two years. Basically a ban on the GM and Hinch too. Who's going to hire them now (They've been fired)

[doug.goodman]

In explaining why no players were punished the Commish said :

“Assessing discipline of players for this type of conduct is both difficult and impractical. It is difficult, because virtually all of the Astros’ players had some involvement or knowledge of the scheme, and I am not in a position based on the investigative record to determine with any degree of certainty every player who should be held accountable, or their relative degree of culpability.

“It is impractical given the large number of players involved, and the fact that many of those players now play for other clubs.”

If "virtually all" of the player were involved then their WS championship should be taken away from them.

There should not be a champion in 2018. Sorry. I meant 2017 I got my "Dodgers sucked in the WS" years confused.

Doug "which isn't to say that the Dodgers deserve it" Goodman

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

In explaining why no players were punished the Commish said :

“Assessing discipline of players for this type of conduct is both difficult and impractical. It is difficult, because virtually all of the Astros’ players had some involvement or knowledge of the scheme, and I am not in a position based on the investigative record to determine with any degree of certainty every player who should be held accountable, or their relative degree of culpability.

“It is impractical given the large number of players involved, and the fact that many of those players now play for other clubs.”

If "virtually all" of the player were involved then their WS championship should be taken away from them.

There should not be a champion in 2018. Sorry. I meant 2017 I got my "Dodgers sucked in the WS" years confused.

Doug "which isn't to say that the Dodgers deserve it" Goodman

Manfred can say whatever he wants, he doesn't want to take on the Union by suspending players. The problem is, there is no deterrent to players cheating again, if theres no punishment for them.

[58pinson]

I find it outrageous, but oh so predictable, that the players involved in this have skated. While I can sympathize with the idea that penalizing their current teams is unfair, that should in no way preclude fining those involved in the most draconian fashion possible. The whole sordid affair just reminds me of how impossibly naive I am to engage on a fan basis with organized sports.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by packs

I found the Astros punishment to be really weak. I mean, 5 million dollar fine? That's like fining me 5 bucks. If they really wanted to end cheating tomorrow, they'd lower the Astros luxury tax threshold by 30 million for the next decade and let them bleed.

The money was apparently the most allowed by MLB, even if it is pocket change for the owner/franchise. But there were also four draft picks taken away, too (plus the personnel suspensions).

Originally Posted by packs

Also I don't understand how a guy who hacks a server in the offseason gets banned for life while a bunch of guys on the field cheating in game to win a World Series get 1 year bans.

If you're referring to Chris Correa, formerly of the Cardinals, he also got sentenced to four years in a federal prison (not sure if he served it all).

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Who's going to hire them now (They've been fired)

That's an interesting question, although I actually could see Luhnow landing somewhere as a consultant or what not. He's got plausible deniability, plus he isn't going to be in uniform/be visible/have to do press conferences. Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire both landed hitting coach gigs after their scandals.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

I could actually see Luhnow landing somewhere as a consultant or what not. He's got plausible deniability

No he doesn't.

If he did, he wouldn't have been suspended for a year, and fired.

Doug "but I do" Goodman

[packs]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

$5mil is the maximum allowed by the league constitution.

Does the constitution say anything about lowering the luxury tax threshold for a team?