Today is without a doubt the darkest day in Houston Astros franchise history. Not only did Major League baseball hand down the penalties from the sign-stealing scandal, but the Houston Astros dropped the proverbial hammer by terminating the architect of the Houston Astros, GM Jeff Luhnow, and manager AJ Hinch.
Originally, the suspensions of GM Luhnow and manager Hinch were going to be for 2020 and the Houston Astros were to lose draft picks and owe a $5 million fine according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan in a tweet:
Additionally, MLB will fine the Astros $5 million and take away their first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts, sources tell ESPN.