MLB

Red Sox stripped of draft pick, Alex Cora suspended for 2020

Apr 22, 2020, 12:56 PM

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox were stripped of their second-round pick in this year’s amateur draft by Major League Baseball for breaking video rules in 2018 and former manager Alex Cora was suspended through the 2020 postseason for his previous conduct as bench coach with the Houston Astros.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced his decision Wednesday, concluding Red Sox replay system operator J.T. Watkins used in-game video to revise sign sequences provided to players.

Watkins was suspended without pay through this year’s postseason and prohibited from serving as the replay room operator through the 2021.

Manfred found Boston’s conduct far less egregious than that of the Astros, whom he determined used video to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again during the 2018 season.

Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended through the 2020 postseason on Jan. 13 and Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum under the Major League Constitution.

The Astros were penalized their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.

Manfred said Cora did not know and had no reason to know of Watkins’ conduct. Cora left Houston after the 2017 season and managed the Red Sox to the 2018 title.

Fallout from the January penalties caused Cora and newly hired New York Mets manager Carlos Beltrán to lose their jobs.

Cora and Beltrán, the senior player on the 2017 Astros, were the key individuals in a scheme to place a camera near Houston’s dugout and have players bang on a trash can to signal breaking pitchers.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

MLB

Shohei Ohtani...

Associated Press

MLB investigating gambling allegations involving Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara

MLB opened an investigation into gambling and theft allegations involving Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

6 days ago

Shohei Ohtani speaks with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara...

Associated Press

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers amid illegal gambling, theft allegations

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter has been fired by the Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the baseball star.

8 days ago

Todd Helton...

Associated Press

Todd Helton, Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer elected to Hall of Fame

Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer will be inducted at Cooperstown on July 21 along with Jim Leyland.

2 months ago

Peter Seidler...

Associated Press

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler dies at 63

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler, who spent big in pursuit of a World Series title, died at 63 years old.

4 months ago

Luke Keaschall...

Arizona Sports

MLB Draft: GCU’s Wilson, ASU’s Keaschall among Arizona-tied players drafted

GCU's Jacob Wilson, Arizona's Chase Davis and ASU's Luke Keaschall were among 24 players from Arizona schools picked in the MLB Draft.

9 months ago

Associated Press

Yankees’ Domingo Germán throws perfect game against A’s, MLB’s 24th

Yankees' Domingo Germán pitched the 24th perfect game in major league history Wednesday night in an 11-0 victory over the Athletics.

9 months ago

Red Sox stripped of draft pick, Alex Cora suspended for 2020