2019 Misc MLB News

[tmwiese55]

Didn't the yankees get caught at this too?

[KeithStone53151]

I have a bit of information relating to new sign stealing protocols. I happen to know that starting for the 2019 season, MLB employed a person to be in each clubhouse for every game. Their sole job was to monitor players, managers, video personnel, etc and report violations. Yes, their job was basically to be a narc. I have to assume this was in response to the 2017 and 2018 allegations(against many teams). I also know that the Brewers had multiple accusations leveled against them in 2019 for sign stealing or otherwise unacceptable actions during games...all of which were reviewed and refuted by MLB. I think a lot of people in baseball saw home/road splits for certain Brewers, notably Yelich, and thought we may be relaying signs.

[sveumrules]

Also, If Fiers came out and said how the Astros were stealing signs and that was on a championship team, I see no reason why he wouldn’t continue on and mention us if there was any merit to it. Since he hasn’t mentioned any type of culture like that was present in Milwaukee, I don’t think the Brewers were doing it.

 

Maybe the Brewers weren't doing it when Fiers was here & Melvin was GM.

 

Fiers was traded before Stearns was hired though, so he likely wouldn't have any knowledge of anything covert going on since then.

[MrTPlush]

Wonder what they will get for this, I mean at face value this is....really bad. Using a camera to steal signs, relaying by radio to the dugout, and then smacking a trash can with a bat so loud the hitter can hear it.

 

Having a base runner stealing signs is one thing. To me that is apart of the shady side of baseball you need to plan for as a team. However using a camera? That’s an impressive level of pathetic.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Obviously won't happen but they should do the NCAA thing of stripping the title. Send a loud and clear message. It's awful, sorry, but if true, which is almost definitely is, it sucks. It was called out during that season and Finch gaslighted the whole thing which is even worse.

 

Stealing the signs with a runner on is fine, a camera is lame as hell and should wipe out their title. IMO this is even clearly worse than NE taping practice.

[BuckyBrewer61]

Hears Astros are using cameras to steal signs

 

 

Hears the Brewers have been accused of the same

 

[pacopete4]

I hope the Brewers get stripped of the Wild Card just so they don’t put hang that banner.

[areacodes]

Robert Murray tweeted that the Brewers adamantly denied the report:

[homer]

I like that it's a St. Louis guy reporting this. Let the conspiracy theories commence!

[MrTPlush]

Robert Murray tweeted that the Brewers adamantly denied the report:

 

That’s truly shocking, I would have suspected they would embrace this in excitement.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Well no, but this is clearly not that hard to prove, so if they actually did do it, I'd just expect radio silence or a "we take this seriously" statement.

[areacodes]

Robert Murray tweeted that the Brewers adamantly denied the report:

 

That’s truly shocking, I would have suspected they would embrace this in excitement.

 

I thought the forcefulness of the statement by the Brewers personnel was interesting as well as Jeff Jones’ response to it.

[Eye Black]

I like that it's a St. Louis guy reporting this. Let the conspiracy theories commence!

Completely agree. Who would have guessed that a Cardinals beat guy was told “by multiple players” that the Brewers are one of the teams stealing signs electronically. [sarcasm]I wonder what organization those multiple players are with, maybe a division rival of the Brewers?[/sarcasm]

[folly412]

The Giants have hired Gabe Kapler as their manager. Why, I don't know.

[RollieTime]

I like that it's a St. Louis guy reporting this. Let the conspiracy theories commence!

Completely agree. Who would have guessed that a Cardinals beat guy was told “by multiple players” that the Brewers are one of the teams stealing signs electronically. [sarcasm]I wonder what organization those multiple players are with, maybe a division rival of the Brewers?[/sarcasm]

 

My thoughts exactly. I’m guessing he got his “information” from the group of Molina, Carpenter, Wong, and Bader.

[RollieTime]

Also, If Fiers came out and said how the Astros were stealing signs and that was on a championship team, I see no reason why he wouldn’t continue on and mention us if there was any merit to it. Since he hasn’t mentioned any type of culture like that was present in Milwaukee, I don’t think the Brewers were doing it.

 

Maybe the Brewers weren't doing it when Fiers was here & Melvin was GM.

 

Fiers was traded before Stearns was hired though, so he likely wouldn't have any knowledge of anything covert going on since then.

 

Not exactly sure if you’re actually hinting toward believing that Stearns has implemented this coming over to the Brewers or not... Looking at the numbers though, the Astros pretty clearly started stealing signs in 2017. Stearns came over after the 2015 season, so he would have no part in this whole sign stealing thing that Houston has done the last 3 seasons. Plus, I personally don’t think Stearns is that stupid to do something like this or put himself in a bad position in an organization engaging in this type of behavior.

 

In 2015, the Brewers struck out the 11th most in MLB. Astros at 2nd most in MLB.

 

In 2016, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros were the 4th most in MLB.

 

In 2017, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros struck out THE LEAST in MLB.

 

In 2018, the Brewers struck out the 6th most in MLB. Astros struck out the SECOND LEAST in MLB.

 

In 2019, the Brewers struck out the 5th most in MLB. Astros struck out THE LEAST in MLB.

 

Average with RISP

 

2015- Brewers 9th best. Astros 7th worst.

 

2016- Brewers 4th worst. Astros 11th worst.

 

2017- Brewers 5th worst. Astros BEST.

 

2018- Brewers 10th worst. Astros 2nd best.

 

2019- Brewers 2nd worst. Astros 10th best.

 

If the Brewers were stealing signs, they wouldn’t strikeout nearly as much as they do. In the season that they won the World Series, the Astros went from striking out one of the most in the game to the least in MLB. I remember hearing a segment about that back in 2017 after the Astros won and thought it was a pretty crazy stat. Obviously knowing what pitch is coming would help with that.

 

Also, with runners in scoring position, the Brewers have consistently been in the bottom third of the league while the Astros went from being in the bottom third of the league to top 2 for 2 seasons in a row. It’s pretty obvious what they were doing.

 

I think the numbers speak for themselves that the Brewers at no point during Fiers’ tenure with Milwaukee, or at any point after, were stealing signs. While it is painfully obvious the Astros were up to something with how drastic their change was in not striking out and them all becoming much better hitters as an entire unit.

 

Do you actually think Stearns has implemented something to cheat in some way to give the Brewers an unfair advantage?

[sveumrules]

Not exactly sure if you’re actually hinting toward believing that Stearns has implemented this coming over to the Brewers or not...

 

In 2016, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros were the 4th most in MLB.

 

In 2017, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros struck out THE LEAST in MLB.

 

I'm hinting towards believing that I wouldn't entirely discount the Brewers (or any other organization) from trying to do whatever they can to gain a competitive edge & that Fiers hasn't been here since the current regime took over so he wouldn't have any first hand insight into what they may or may not be doing.

 

Looking at the 2016/2017 Astros it looks like their massive improvement in K% was primarily driven by a change in personnel & playing time...

 

Among players with at least 100 PAs, you have Colby Rasmus (417 PAs, 29.0 K%), Jason Castro (376 PAs, 32.7 K%), Luis Valbuena (342 PAs, 23.7 K%), Carlos Gomez (323 PAs, 31.0 K%), Tyler White (276 PAs, 23.6 K%), Tony Kemp (136 PAs, 19.9 K%) & Teoscar Hernandez (112 PAs, 25.0 K%) in 2016 being replaced by...

 

Carlos Beltran (509 PAs, 20.0 K%), Brian McCann (399 PAs, 19.2 K%) & Nori Aoki (224 PAs, 12.9 K%) along with Alex Bregman (15.5 K%) & Yuli Gurriel (11.1 K%) combining for 1,190 PAs in 2017 vs only 350 PAs in 2016.

 

League average K% at home in 2017 was 21.3 vs 22.0 on the road for a 0.7% difference. Astros K% at home in 2017 was 16.7 vs 17.9 on the road for a 1.2% difference, so it's not like they had some crazy split compared to the league as a whole.

[MrTPlush]

I’m sorry, but there is 100% now way anything in stats is reflecting them stealing signs. If they went from bottom of the barrel to the best in a matter of one year you should be able to watch 162 games of bat clanking change up mashing hitting. One video shows what looks to be sign stealing...one game. I am sure it is nowhere near the only one, but I doubt they did it to some degree they were suddenly amazing with RISP...you still gotta but it good.

 

That’s just too big of a change to be because of sign stealing.

[Roderick]

I’m sorry, but there is 100% now way anything in stats is reflecting them stealing signs. If they went from bottom of the barrel to the best in a matter of one year you should be able to watch 162 games of bat clanking change up mashing hitting. One video shows what looks to be sign stealing...one game. I am sure it is nowhere near the only one, but I doubt they did it to some degree they were suddenly amazing with RISP...you still gotta but it good.

 

That’s just too big of a change to be because of sign stealing.

 

Yeah, I would attribute that bat hitting the trashcan video (since it is the only one at least so far) as more of the bench picked up a tell on the pitcher and was relaying that. That is on the pitcher.

 

I have no idea if correct, but others were claiming the Astros had better hitting stats on the road, which would also discredit at least the effect of the cheating.

 

But if getting signs to the batter is prevalent, another reason to pitch fast like Suter. Signs can't be relayed to the batter fast enough.

[pacopete4]

Wonder if the Stros will get the Pete Rose treatment?

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I’m sorry, but there is 100% now way anything in stats is reflecting them stealing signs. If they went from bottom of the barrel to the best in a matter of one year you should be able to watch 162 games of bat clanking change up mashing hitting. One video shows what looks to be sign stealing...one game. I am sure it is nowhere near the only one, but I doubt they did it to some degree they were suddenly amazing with RISP...you still gotta but it good.

 

That’s just too big of a change to be because of sign stealing.

 

Yeah, I would attribute that bat hitting the trashcan video (since it is the only one at least so far) as more of the bench picked up a tell on the pitcher and was relaying that. That is on the pitcher.

 

I have no idea if correct, but others were claiming the Astros had better hitting stats on the road, which would also discredit at least the effect of the cheating.

 

But if getting signs to the batter is prevalent, another reason to pitch fast like Suter. Signs can't be relayed to the batter fast enough.

 

They change the sign and it is picked up again almost immediately. That is a CF cam, it is not a genius in the dugout. While I agree that you cannot go from horrible to great just by stealing a sign, they deserve whatever is coming.

[RollieTime]

Not exactly sure if you’re actually hinting toward believing that Stearns has implemented this coming over to the Brewers or not...

 

In 2016, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros were the 4th most in MLB.

 

In 2017, the Brewers struck out the most in MLB. Astros struck out THE LEAST in MLB.

 

I'm hinting towards believing that I wouldn't entirely discount the Brewers (or any other organization) from trying to do whatever they can to gain a competitive edge & that Fiers hasn't been here since the current regime took over so he wouldn't have any first hand insight into what they may or may not be doing.

 

Looking at the 2016/2017 Astros it looks like their massive improvement in K% was primarily driven by a change in personnel & playing time...

 

Among players with at least 100 PAs, you have Colby Rasmus (417 PAs, 29.0 K%), Jason Castro (376 PAs, 32.7 K%), Luis Valbuena (342 PAs, 23.7 K%), Carlos Gomez (323 PAs, 31.0 K%), Tyler White (276 PAs, 23.6 K%), Tony Kemp (136 PAs, 19.9 K%) & Teoscar Hernandez (112 PAs, 25.0 K%) in 2016 being replaced by...

 

Carlos Beltran (509 PAs, 20.0 K%), Brian McCann (399 PAs, 19.2 K%) & Nori Aoki (224 PAs, 12.9 K%) along with Alex Bregman (15.5 K%) & Yuli Gurriel (11.1 K%) combining for 1,190 PAs in 2017 vs only 350 PAs in 2016.

 

League average K% at home in 2017 was 21.3 vs 22.0 on the road for a 0.7% difference. Astros K% at home in 2017 was 16.7 vs 17.9 on the road for a 1.2% difference, so it's not like they had some crazy split compared to the league as a whole.

 

Some of it can be personnel related for sure. It’s actually about a 6.7% decrease at home. While not significant, is still quite an improvement.

 

I’m sorry, but there is 100% now way anything in stats is reflecting them stealing signs. If they went from bottom of the barrel to the best in a matter of one year you should be able to watch 162 games of bat clanking change up mashing hitting. One video shows what looks to be sign stealing...one game. I am sure it is nowhere near the only one, but I doubt they did it to some degree they were suddenly amazing with RISP...you still gotta but it good.

 

That’s just too big of a change to be because of sign stealing.

 

Is it though? So if you were facing a guy throwing 95 and you knew when it was going to be a fastball or a changeup/slider, that would not help you as a hitter in never having your timing wrong because you know what’s coming? How about a reliever that only has 2 pitches? You don’t think it would help a batter immensely if he knew a fastball or slider was coming and would never be off balance or out in front on a swing because he KNOWS what’s coming? Sorry, but an MLB hitter would be way more successful at the plate knowing which pitch is coming. I think a large part of it can be attributed to sign stealing and that it can’t be totally dismissed almost like it seems like you’re doing here.

[MrTPlush]

You are inferring incredible changes in success when there are RISP. If this was true then the home/road splits for such a stat would also be off the charts. Is that actually the case? I don't have the stats, but I really doubt that. If you believe they were cheating daily at home there should be big big differences that make them better at home offensively across the board. I doubt they just do it with RISP. If I am not mistaken in the example video no one is even on 2nd or 3rd (I know not 2nd, but can't recall 3rd).

 

While I think it could have a way more direct effect on results this is similar to PEDs. They aren't going to suddenly make you a god at the plate. I think it can make a difference, but not enough to think they are doing it every AB and/or to make them go from #20 in baseball to #1 with RISP.

[RollieTime]

You are inferring incredible changes in success when there are RISP. If this was true then the home/road splits for such a stat would also be off the charts. Is that actually the case? I don't have the stats, but I really doubt that. If you believe they were cheating daily at home there should be big big differences that make them better at home offensively across the board. I doubt they just do it with RISP. If I am not mistaken in the example video no one is even on 2nd or 3rd (I know not 2nd, but can't recall 3rd).

 

While I think it could have a way more direct effect on results this is similar to PEDs. They aren't going to suddenly make you a god at the plate. I think it can make a difference, but not enough to think they are doing it every AB and/or to make them go from #20 in baseball to #1 with RISP.

 

The RISP was more so to point out how the Astros became so successful almost overnight compared to the Brewers being “linked” to “cheating” when they have been one of the worst in striking out, average, and hitting with runners in scoring position the last few years. It was more to show how I see no way the Brewers are actually stealing signs. There is always a possibility of a runner on second relaying signs to the batter and what not, something some teams do. I know the Astros were doing that before and that was verified in the past couple years too. I don’t see the Brewer doing that with how bad they are at hitting with runners in scoring position. I should of clarified my intent with the RISP before.

 

All in all, the Astros have been linked to doing multiple different things for stealing signs while the numbers suggest there’s no way the Brewers are doing that. If they are stealing signs and still performing this bad, especially with runners in scoring position and the pitcher throwing high leverage pitches, I wouldn’t want to know how bad they truly would be without stealing signs. Especially with the talent they’ve had in the lineup the last 2-3 seasons. I just don’t see any merit to them stealing signs whatsoever.

[tmwiese55]

With how paranoid each and every team is that the other team is attempting to steal their signs when a runner is on 2nd, it tells me that they themselves are also doing it and have done it while on other teams. I take that as part of the game. Same reason they have to put through multiple signs to begin with and why the 3rd base coach needs dummy signs. Or why if a QB yelled the same word to audible to X play that after like 3 plays or enough data everyone would figure out. Or if a basketball team yells out their play coming down the court as "computer blue" that you eventually figure out what it is. Or the examples of a pitcher tipping. Part of the game.

 

But something like this goes well beyond IMO.

 

Also, remember the Yu Darvish pitch tipping thing in the WS vs them? Hmmm