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Javier Baez Calls Out The MLB, Houston Astros

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PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (9) celebrates a homerun during the MLB Baseball games between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs on September 17, 2018 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire)

The Houston Astros cheating scandal is here to stay. After Monday’s game against the Cardinals, Javier Baez became the latest MLB star to shed some light on how the MLB dynamic has changed since the Astros were found guilty of their elaborate sign-stealing scheme.

The struggling Baez was critical of the new rule that doesn’t allow players to watch video during the games.

“To be honest, it sucks because I make my adjustments during the game,” Baez said  to ESPN. “I watch my swing. I watch where the ball went, where the contact was. I’m mad. I’m really mad about that we don’t have it.”

Javier Baez continued to say, “We didn’t cheat. We’re not cheating, and we got to pay for all this. It’s tough … but a lot of players are struggling, too. A lot of stars are struggling, and I’m just one more.”


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There is a lot to unpack here. To be honest, I had no idea that the MLB now doesn’t allow players to watch any type of film whatsoever during a baseball game. I think this has been a norm for the past 10+ years. You strikeout, and you go back to the tunnel to see what adjustments you need to make before the next at-bat.

It might seem like a small change, but I’m with Javy here. Other teams shouldn’t have to pay for what the Astros and Red Sox did. And maybe it makes a huge difference to a guy like Javier Baez if he can watch film to make his in-game adjustments. Who am I say?

As Javier Baez said, he’s not the only superstar with unusual stats. We’ve seen former MVPs such as Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger struggle in this condensed season, as well. Can you blame the absence of video for all of it? Probably not, but maybe it’s playing a part in it.

I think this is just another example of Rob Manfred’s poor leadership. The guy does not have a grip on the league, and it continues to be evident. There has to be a way to police electronic sign-stealing without taking away video altogether. Maybe they can put an official in every clubhouse to monitor what’s going on, I don’t know. Just figure it out.


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