GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It’s a long way from the home team’s dugout to the bullpen in any big-league ballpark. It was that distance that protected James Hoyt from seeing the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scam in action on a daily basis. But it did not make him an innocent bystander.
“I was on that team. I was part of that team,” said Hoyt. “I knew what was going on. It’s unfortunate what it’s turned into. Was it unethical? 100 percent.”
Hoyt, who is trying to win a spot in the Indians’ bullpen, made 43 appearances with the Astros in 2017 and one in 2018. An MLB investigation found that the Astros used electronic sign stealing in 2017, including their run to the World Series title, and for part of the 2018 regular season. GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were suspended by Commissioner Rob Manfred and later fired by Houston owner Jim Crane for their failure to stop the scam.
The Astros lost their top two draft picks in 2020 and 2021 and were fined $5 million. Bench coach Alex Cora and former Astro Carlos Beltran, the ringleaders of the cheating scam, have paid a price as well. Cora was fired as manager of Red Sox, while Beltran was fired as manager of the Mets.
“In the bullpen, you don’t even notice it,” said Hoyt. “You walk in the tunnel, when I’m going out to stretch, you see the set-up, you see what’s going on. But during the game, you’re not there. You’re a little distanced from the whole situation. It’s interesting."
Manfred, in his investigation, gave Astros players immunity to get them to tell the truth. Beltran, to date, has been the only player penalized and it was by the Mets, not MLB. Such leniency has ignited protest from other players throughout the big leagues. They’ve ripped the Astros and Manfred. Some pitchers have hinted that the Astros could be targeted for brushback pitches. Manfred sent a memorandum to all teams saying any such action would be met with severe punishment.
“It’s unfortunate what it’s turned into,” said Hoyt. "Was it unethical? 100 percent. I like to think those guys (Astros) are holding their heads high, but you can see it in their faces. It is what it is.
“The report came out and the punishments were given. We’re just waiting to move on from it. It seems like something comes up every day. It’s still there. It’s news. It’s being covered.”
Not only are players and fans upset that Houston’s players escaped penalties, they’re angered because they get to keep the 2017 World Series title. Manfred said there was no precedent for stripping them of the title. Manfred believes fans will always know that the 2017 World Series title will carry an unwholesome scent. Hoyt understands, but disagrees.
“You can look it it both ways,” said Hoyt. "Me, as a player, as a member of that team, I don’t feel like it’s tainted. I feel like there’s question marks with it, yes, 100 percent. A lot of people are going to believe that way. What was done was wrong. It’s not good for baseball, what was done.
“I was on that team. Those guys are extremely talented. In the postseason, just winning all those games on the road (when the sign stealing didn’t occur). Me, personally, I don’t think (it should be remembered negatively).”
The Indians acquired Hoyt in a trade with the Astros on July 6, 2018. He underwent surgery on his right knee and elbow after the trade. Last year he went 2-0 with 3.43 ERA and four saves at Class AAA Columbus. He joined the Indians on Sept. 1 and made eight appearances.
The Houston scandal became public when former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers revealed it to The Athletic in November.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” said Hoyt, when asked about Fiers. “But you can’t blame him. Everyone is entitled to their decision and freedom of speech. You want to come out and talk about it, so be it. He’s an established major leaguer. I respect all those guys.”
While MLB said the Astros stopped cheating during the 2018 season, many believe they did not. The Indians were swept by the Astros in the ALDS that year with the first two games being played at Minute Maid Park.
Mike Clevinger, Hoyt’s teammate with the Tribe, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Astros. In their preparation for the 2018 ALDS, the Indians were so preoccupied with stopping the Astros from stealing their signs that it seemed to hurt their overall play.
Hoyt said he has not felt any resentment from Indians players.
“I don’t feel any awkwardness or discomfort being around these guys,” he said. "It is what it is with what happened over there. It was 2017 and it’s in the past. I’m hoping baseball can move on from that and take the spotlight off that team and put it on this year and our team.
“I want the focus in this clubhouse to be on the 2020 season, not the Houston Astros.”
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