Notebook: Red Sox accused of
stealing signs in 2018
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[January 10, 2020]
The Boston Red Sox stole signs
via video from opposing pitchers and catchers during the 2018
regular season, multiple members of the club told The Athletic for a
story published Tuesday.
Three people who were part of the team that year told The Athletic
that the signs were stolen by players who went to the video replay
room to figure them out, and then sent the information to the
dugout. Someone on the bench then shared the signs with baserunners,
who used body movements to let the batter know what pitch was
coming.
The system was not used in the postseason because Major League
Baseball had monitors posted in all video replay rooms in the
postseason, The Athletic reported. The Red Sox beat the Dodgers in
five games in the 2018 World Series.
Major League Baseball already is investigating allegations that the
Houston Astros stole signs electronically during the 2017 season.
While sign stealing is commonplace, the use of electronics to do so,
such as cameras from center field toward the opposing catcher, is
forbidden by rule. The 2017 Astros also beat the Dodgers in the
World Series.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora is a common denominator between the two
teams. He was the Astros' bench coach in 2017 before moving on to
Boston.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Jan/10/images/ads/current/farmers_bank_sda_LUAL_2015.png)
--The Chicago White Sox signed right-handed reliever Steve Cishek to
a one-year, $6 million deal, multiple outlets reported.
The deal for the 33-year-old veteran also includes a $750,000 buyout
and a $6.75 million option for 2021. Cishek delivered a 2.95 ERA for
the Chicago Cubs in 2019 over 70 appearances and had a 2.55 ERA with
the club over the last two years.
Over 10 seasons with the Florida/Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals,
Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Cubs, Cishek was 32-37 with a
2.69 ERA and 132 saves over 556 innings. He had a career-best 39
saves in 2014 with the Marlins.
He is expected to be used in a late-inning set-up role in front of
closer Alex Colome, who could be due as much as $9.5 million in
arbitration.
--The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their pitching staff, reaching a
one-year, $1.25-million deal with right-hander Jimmy Nelson,
according to multiple reports.
The Brewers non-tendered Nelson in December as he was set to make a
projected $3.7 million in arbitration. Nelson missed the 2018 season
after shoulder surgery and made just 10 appearances in 2019 (three
starts) because of elbow issues.
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![](../images/011020pics/sports63.jpg)
Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler (5) breaks his bat on a double
during the fifth inning to bring in Boston Red Sox right fielder
J.D. Martinez (not pictured) against the New York Yankees at Fenway
Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
A bevy of incentives could take the deal with the Dodgers to as much
as $3 million in 2020. There is also a $2 million club option for
2021. The 30-year old's best season came in 2017 when he was 12-6 in
29 starts with the Brewers, with a 3.49 ERA. He is 33-46 in 119
appearances (107 starts) over six seasons with the Brewers, posting
a 4.22 ERA.
--The Baltimore Orioles signed infielder Jose Iglesias to a one-year
deal with a club option for 2021, with each year worth a reported $3
million. Primarily a shortstop, the 30-year-old Iglesias batted .288
with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs for the Cincinnati Reds last season.
Over eight major league seasons, Iglesias has batted .273 with 32
home runs and 247 RBIs. He also played for the Boston Red Sox and
Detroit Tigers, finishing second in the American League rookie of
the year voting in 2013. He was an All-Star in 2015 with the Tigers.
--The Washington Nationals officially announced their two-year deal
with infielder Starlin Castro. The 29-year old is coming off a 2019
season with the Miami Marlins in which he set career marks with 22
home runs and 86 RBIs while batting .270.
A four-time All-Star, Castro is a career. 280 hitter over 10 seasons
with the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Marlins. He has 133 home
runs and 636 RBIs.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Jan/10/images/ads/current/pestcontrol_bch_termites.png)
--The Miami Marlins officially introduced their coaching staff under
manager Don Mattingly for 2020. James Rowson was officially named
bench coach -- a move that was first reported in October. The report
also indicated that Rowson would be viewed as an "offensive
coordinator," even holding that title. The Marlins only announced
him as bench coach Tuesday. Along with Rowson, the Marlins are
adding Billy Hatcher (first base/outfield), Wellington Cepeda
(bullpen), Eddy Rodriguez (catching) and Eric Duncan (hitting).
--Field Level Media
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