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The punishment the Red Sox received for their sign-stealing scandal is not getting rave reviews on social media. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

MLB world reacts to Red Sox’s laughable sign-stealing punishment

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 4/22/20

The Boston Red Sox waited for months for MLB to conclude its investigation into alleged sign stealing by the team during the 2018 season. On Wednesday, Boston likely rejoiced when MLB announced the lightest of discipline.

MLB released its report into the Red Sox, announcing that it found the team guilty of electronically stealing signs during the 2018 regular season. However, the league found that the team’s actions weren’t as egregious as those done by the Houston Astros, who faced far harsher penalties.

The Red Sox have been stripped of their second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft. Additionally, replay operator J.T. Watkins is suspended through the 2020 playoffs and from holding the job in 2021.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred detailed in his report that the Red Sox’s methods were far more limited than what the Astros did. Furthermore, the league’s investigation didn’t find any evidence that the Red Sox kept electronically stealing signs during the 2018 postseason.

Alex Cora, who many believed brought the electronic sign-stealing methods to Boston, is only receiving a one-year suspension tied to his involvement in the Astros’ cheating methods. Many expected him to receive far greater discipline than former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, but both could now return to baseball by 2021.

While MLB stripped the Astros of their first- and second-round picks over the next two years, in addition to a $5 million fine and their manager and general manager being suspended, Boston faced a far lighter punishment.

As word broke of the incredibly light punishment for the Red Sox, the MLB world lit up with shock and laughter at the league letting Boston off so easily.

"banned through the 2020 playoffs" might as well just ban him from the 1994 world series and the cosby show reboot if we're keeping him out of things that won't happen https://t.co/qKOLsvwrjU
— Matt Stayawayfromussman (@suss2hyphens) April 22, 2020

Boston's second-round pick this year is no. 52 overall. The two best no. 52 overall picks in MLB history are Carl Crawford and (probably) Blake Snell, so that pick isn't worth much unless the Rays have it.
— Michael Baumann (@MichaelBaumann) April 22, 2020

LOL give me a break https://t.co/aV0gvRzgPv
— Scott Coleman (@scottcoleman55) April 22, 2020

So you’re telling me the Red Sox penalty is a loss of a 2020 2nd round pick. A ban of a replay operator. And a ban on Alex Cora for what he did with the Astros. LMFAO
— Tatum SZN☘️ (@RevengeBrady) April 22, 2020

People in power cheating and doing terrible things before reaching the highest echelons of their profession without facing consequence is just SO 2020
— Kavitha A. Davidson (@kavithadavidson) April 22, 2020

These Rd Sox "penalties" are a bit of a joke. They would almost have been better off just forgetting to announce this.
— Ashley MacLennan (@90feetfromhome) April 22, 2020

“ban of replay operator” LMAO https://t.co/qs1pq45spM
— Sarah (@skg_18) April 22, 2020

MLB’s light punishments show the Astros/Red Sox calculus was correct. The benefits of cheating massively outweigh the downsides. A chilling realization given the league’s increasing involvement with gambling. Delegitimizes the entire sport.
— Bill Baer (@Baer_Bill) April 22, 2020

So basically they blamed a "rogue employee" and took a 2nd round pick. Which will all but certainly incentivize cheating. https://t.co/oxTXWCNMC7
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) April 22, 2020

Not even a slap on the wrist. https://t.co/94jryCt3mk
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) April 22, 2020

the 2020 second rounder and a suspension for the replay operator how will they ever make it past this grievous penalty
— Jarrett Seidler (@jaseidler) April 22, 2020

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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