The Houston Astros 2020 Futures Following Scandal Fallout

Although it’s the dead of the baseball offseason, it’s been the opposite of quiet. The Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal has rocked the MLB world over the past couple of weeks as an investigation by Major League Baseball uncovered evidence that the Astros used a video feed from a center field camera to watch and decode the signs of opposing catchers during their 2017 World Series-winning season. The players would bang on a trashcan to signal to batters what was coming on the next pitch.

As a result, Houston received a $5 million fine, which is the maximum fine amount allowed under the Major League constitution, forfeited their first and second round picks in each of the next two drafts, and then owner Jim Crane fired manager Jeff Luhnow and bench boss A.J. Hinch, who were suspended for the year. The Astros World Series odds have taken a hit but how much will it impact them in the coming season?

SCANDAL FORCES ASTROS INTO BIG MANAGERIAL CHANGES

The first thing we need to understand is that this entire scandal should have a lasting impact on both the team and everybody within the organization. In fact, the scope of this incident reaches far beyond just Houston, with Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora also losing his job after it was revealed that he was the one that designed the system while with the Astros. Manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were both fired and might never work for an MLB team again. However, the actual players appear to have escaped any direct punishment. While Gerrit Cole left via free agency, Houston still has a deep core of talented players. This is probably why the Astros are still listed among the favorites to win the World Series next season.

ASTROS WORLD SERIES ODDS DIP TO +700

At BetOnline.ag sportsbook, Houston has now dropped to third in line in terms of their odds to win a World Series next season. They’re now at +700, which is below the Los Angeles Dodgers (+600) and New York Yankees (+350). When the World Series odds opened up, the Astros were neck-in-neck with the Yankees to win it all but that’s changed.

Despite losing Cole, Houston still has a ton of talent beginning with the reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. The Astros will also feature an MVP runner-up in Alex Bregman, former world Series MVP George Springer and Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez. While we don’t know for sure what kind of an impact that sign-stealing had on the team’s performance – especially losing the team’s manager – we do know that Houston is still among the most talented team in all of baseball. They’re also in a relatively easy division as the Oakland Athletics won 97 games and made the playoffs, but the other three teams were all under .500.

The good news for the Astros is their roster has a full offseason to deal with the news and regroup. However, you can expect them to have a big target on their back all season after getting busted cheating.

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