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.