Report: Managers Alex Cora, Carlos Beltran Involved in Astros’ Sign Stealing

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball’s investigation into the Astros sign stealing from 2017 is likely going to include at least three current MLB managers. 

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich, Red Sox manager Alex Cora and recently hired Mets manager Carlos Beltran both played a “key role in devising the sign-stealing system the team used that season” while they were a part of Houston manager A.J. Hinch’s team.

Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that the Astros reportedly stole signs in 2017. For that story, The Athletic spoke to four sources who worked with the Astros in 2017, including pitcher Mike Fiers, who said the club stole signs during home games that season with the help of an outfield camera.

Two sources told The Athletic that the sign stealing stretched into the 2017 postseason, while another denied the allegation.

Cora was the team’s bench coach in 2017, while Beltran was a designated hitter and outfielder. The Athletic is reporting that they were not the only members of the team who participated in the sign stealing.

Cora and Hinch declined to comment while Beltran told The Athletic that the team did nothing wrong.

“We took a lot of pride studying pitchers in the computer—that is the only technology that I use and I understand,” Beltrán said. “It was fun seeing guys get to the ballpark to look for little details.

Sign stealing has a long history in baseball, but the league prohibits clubs from using electronic equipment to capture catchers' signs.

The Astros released a statement on Tuesday in response to The Athletic's initial report.

"Regarding the story posted by The Athletic earlier today, the Houston Astros organization has begun an investigation in cooperation with Major League Baseball. It would not be appropriate to comment further on this matter at this time."