Red Sox: It’s time for Boston and the MLBPA to put pressure on Manfred
Rob Manfred has once again delayed the results of his investigation into the Boston Red Sox. It’s time the team turns the heat up on the Commissioner.
I was hoping by now I’d be writing about the results of the MLB’s investigation into the 2018 Red Sox. Sadly, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as once again pushed back his self-imposed deadline for the results of the inquiry. With spring training games well underway, how much longer will this witchhunt into the World Series squad last?
I wish I had an answer to that question because this thing went off the tracks long ago. It’s one thing to be thorough but at this point, it feels like there’s zero chance that the Commissioner actually has any dirt on Boston. If he did have evidence against the Red Sox then the hammer would’ve dropped by now.
During this entire saga, we’ve seen reports from multiple sources saying that Manfred was coming up short in his investigation. Now, that could always be the MLB holding their cards close to the vest but with it coming from multiple sources at different times throughout the offseason, I tend to believe them.
First, he said that the report would be completed by the first week of February. Then, it would be completed before players arrived at spring training camp. After that, he said that he’d have his conclusion ready before games were to be played. Lastly, Manfred was confident that the investigation would be finished by the end of last week.
Now, Jon Heyman of the MLB Network and Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe are reporting that the Commissioner is targeting the beginning of March. The charade, I mean investigation, will soon be heading into its third month of existence.
So why then is Manfred once again pushing back the date to hand over his results? The league office claims it’s to review all of the data they’ve accumulated and to give any named parties enough of a heads up about punishments.
That’s great if there is any punishment to be doled out. The investigation into the Astros came and went in the blink of an eye and yet this look into the Red Sox is taking until close to the regular season?
The accusations into the Red Sox are that they used the MLB provided, and unmonitored, replay rooms during the 2018 regular season to pick up signs and relay them once on second base. This isn’t some grand “Codebreaker” scheme with extra screens and waste management products. They literally used a room that was given to them – BY THE LEAGUE – to try and figure out signs.
One problem that could lead to stiff punishment from Manfred is Boston’s previous infractions into sign-stealing via Apple Watch. Though that was under a different manager and front office regime, it’s still close enough that it can be used by the Commissioner.
Add in the fact that Manfred has been absolutely destroyed by the media and players alike for the slap on the wrist he gave to Houston, he could use the previous malfeasance as a way to punish Boston harder.
That still weighs itself on the need to find any actual wrongdoing for the season in question. Ever since the Houston news came about we’ve seen players speak out against the team and their behaviors. Oddly enough, there has been zero chatter from other squads about what Boston is accused of, not even the Yankees have spoken out against the Red Sox.
This could mean that other teams were doing exactly what the Sox were allegedly doing. Considering the Yankees were included in that ever-important report from The Athletic, their silence isn’t shocking. It’s still curious though, that nobody has attacked Boston for their possible sign-stealing actions.
Back to the matter at hand, Manfred can no longer be allowed to continue this circus of an investigation. Red Sox ownership needs to put some pressure on the league office and Manfred to get this thing done and done soon. I don’t quite know what exactly that could mean but the owners have a lot of money and power and I’m sure they could bring the boom to the Commissioner.
The MLBPA also needs to step in as the players are the ones that are going to be directly affected by whatever ruling comes down the pike. It’s hard to think that the Red Sox were able to operate as they would’ve liked to this winter with this investigation hanging over their heads.
If there are going to be suspensions or fines then the MLBPA needs to push Manfred to get them handed out ASAP so they can be served and/or appealed.
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We heard last week that both Dave Dombrowski and Ron Roenicke were most likely going to be found having no involvement in the allegations. So, if we know that much from the league office then why don’t we know, well, EVERYTHING? That should also be a red flag to the Player’s Association to step in and either demand the investigation be completed or even halted.
If Manfred can clear some people then why can’t he give the full report and name those that may be punished, if any? The length of this investigation has been a complete joke and is only losing its humor. Hell, it took authorities less time to find John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and that was in 1865.
I’m of the belief and confidence that Manfred hasn’t found a damn thing in the way of cheating in 2018. There’s no reason I can rationally think of that would force his hand to keep putting off his results. Interviewing the same people repeatedly over the course of weeks is only going to give the interviewees time to link their stories, once again making this whole thing a ridiculous farce.
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I think I can easily speak for all of Red Sox Nation when I say that this idiotic witchhunt needs to come to an end and soon. If you have something to report then hand it over because the longer you take the less credible you seem. Time isn’t on Rob Manfred’s side as the longer he takes the more ammo that the MLBPA can use against him in any appeals. He’ll also look like more of a joke if he takes two months to complete this investigation to find nothing in the way of cheating.