NEW YORK: The St. Louis Cardinals were ordered Monday to pay $2 million and forfeit two picks in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft for an illegal computer hacking of the Houston Astros’ database.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the punishment after the conclusion of a major league probe into 2013 and 2014 breaches of the Astros baseball operations files by a former Cardinals’ employee, scouting director Chris Correa.
The Cardinals will have their 56th and 75th overall draft selections, second and third round choices, awarded to the Astros, who will also receive the fine money within 30 days, according to the ruling.
Manfred said no evidence was found that anyone besides Correa was responsible for accessing the Astros’ information but said he was “holding the Cardinals responsible for his conduct.”
Manfred ruled that the Astros had “suffered material harm” from the actions of Correa, who was fired by the Cardinals in 2015 after the team’s own internal investigation.
Correa was placed on the “permanently ineligible list” on Manfred’s order.
“We respect the commissioner’s decision and appreciate there’s now a final resolution to this matter,” Cardinals chairman William DeWitt Junior said in a statement.
“Commissioner Manfred’s findings are fully consistent with our own investigation’s conclusion that this activity was isolated to a single individual.”
Correa pleaded guilty in federal court last January to five counts of unauthorized access of a protected computer for intruding into the Astros’ e-mail system and analytical scouting database after an FBI probe. He was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay the Astros $279,038.65 as restitution.
“This has been a long and challenging process for all of us, especially those within our baseball operations department,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “We have learned a great deal along the way and we have taken additional steps to ensure that something like this doesn’t ever happen again.”
In a statement, the Astros supported the ruling and penalties.
“This unprecedented award by the commissioner’s office sends a clear message of the severity of these actions,” said the statement. “Our staff has invested a great deal of time in support of the government, legal and league investigations and are pleased to have closure on this issue.”
Royals agree to $12M, 2-year deal with Moss
The Royals and designated hitter Brandon Moss have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract to provide some power to the Kansas City lineup, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because Moss still must pass a physical to make the deal official. That is expected to happen later this week.
Moss hit just .225 in 128 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but his average was dragged down by a poor final stretch. He still wound up hitting 28 homers, and that power is what the Royals are hoping he will bring to a lineup that is otherwise built around speed and defense.
He is expected to take over for Kendrys Morales, who parlayed a successful run in Kansas City into a $33 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Colby Ramus, Tampa Bay Rays finalize $5M, 1-year contract
Free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus and the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a $5 million, one-year contract.
Ramus can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses, the Rays said Monday.
The 30-year-old has a .241 career average with St. Louis (2009-11), Toronto (2011-14) and Houston (2015-16). He hit .206 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 107 games last year, reaching 15 homers for the fifth straight season, but his production dropped from a .238 average with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 2015.
To open room on the 40-man roster, the Rays released outfielder Jason Coats. Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Jan. 11, the 26-year-old injured his right elbow throwing the following day and needs Tommy John surgery.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the punishment after the conclusion of a major league probe into 2013 and 2014 breaches of the Astros baseball operations files by a former Cardinals’ employee, scouting director Chris Correa.
The Cardinals will have their 56th and 75th overall draft selections, second and third round choices, awarded to the Astros, who will also receive the fine money within 30 days, according to the ruling.
Manfred said no evidence was found that anyone besides Correa was responsible for accessing the Astros’ information but said he was “holding the Cardinals responsible for his conduct.”
Manfred ruled that the Astros had “suffered material harm” from the actions of Correa, who was fired by the Cardinals in 2015 after the team’s own internal investigation.
Correa was placed on the “permanently ineligible list” on Manfred’s order.
“We respect the commissioner’s decision and appreciate there’s now a final resolution to this matter,” Cardinals chairman William DeWitt Junior said in a statement.
“Commissioner Manfred’s findings are fully consistent with our own investigation’s conclusion that this activity was isolated to a single individual.”
Correa pleaded guilty in federal court last January to five counts of unauthorized access of a protected computer for intruding into the Astros’ e-mail system and analytical scouting database after an FBI probe. He was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay the Astros $279,038.65 as restitution.
“This has been a long and challenging process for all of us, especially those within our baseball operations department,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “We have learned a great deal along the way and we have taken additional steps to ensure that something like this doesn’t ever happen again.”
In a statement, the Astros supported the ruling and penalties.
“This unprecedented award by the commissioner’s office sends a clear message of the severity of these actions,” said the statement. “Our staff has invested a great deal of time in support of the government, legal and league investigations and are pleased to have closure on this issue.”
Royals agree to $12M, 2-year deal with Moss
The Royals and designated hitter Brandon Moss have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract to provide some power to the Kansas City lineup, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because Moss still must pass a physical to make the deal official. That is expected to happen later this week.
Moss hit just .225 in 128 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but his average was dragged down by a poor final stretch. He still wound up hitting 28 homers, and that power is what the Royals are hoping he will bring to a lineup that is otherwise built around speed and defense.
He is expected to take over for Kendrys Morales, who parlayed a successful run in Kansas City into a $33 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Colby Ramus, Tampa Bay Rays finalize $5M, 1-year contract
Free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus and the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a $5 million, one-year contract.
Ramus can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses, the Rays said Monday.
The 30-year-old has a .241 career average with St. Louis (2009-11), Toronto (2011-14) and Houston (2015-16). He hit .206 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 107 games last year, reaching 15 homers for the fifth straight season, but his production dropped from a .238 average with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 2015.
To open room on the 40-man roster, the Rays released outfielder Jason Coats. Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Jan. 11, the 26-year-old injured his right elbow throwing the following day and needs Tommy John surgery.
