Will Alex Bregman stay with the Boston Red Sox or choose to opt-out after this season – think that should be the concern now? Apparently not! While the star player secured his worth, it reignited conversations around the Houston Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

The league moved on, but maybe, several fans could not. Every vital deal engaging a former Astro acts as a reminder of what some analyze as a failure in accountability.

The controversy is not just related to what happened in 2017, it is related to how it shaped baseball’s future. Did MLB’s reaction highlight that talent and success would outweigh any scandal in the long run?

After MLB ran an investigation in 2019 when ex-Astros pitcher Mike Fiers shared that his team did steal pitching signs to convey them to the batter, a $5 million fine (maximum enabled under MLB rules) was imposed on the franchise (2020). Even, former Manager A. J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow were suspended for a year while also losing the team’s four early-round draft picks. But seems like that wasn’t enough!

When Rob Manfred granted Astros players immunity in exchange for cooperation, it sparked outrage. No players were suspended despite being a part of the banging scheme. This includes Alex Bregman, José Altuve, and Carlos Correa, who continued playing without missing a game.

Many felt that MLB focused on a quick resolution over real accountability.

And now, Alex Bregman’s deal highlights how little the scandal affected individual players financially. Since 2017, the talent has earned over $100 million in salary alone. Bregman’s contract with the Red Sox adds another $120 million, making him only the 4th MLB player to cross the $40 million threshold.

The rage is not just about unfair punishments though. Teams that played fairly missed out on potential titles. The Dodgers, who lost to the Houston Astros in the 2017 World Series, have voiced their frustration. Of course!

In 2020, Cody Bellinger even called out the Houston Astros, saying, “I feel, like, they stole that ring from us.”

The Houston Astros’ legacy and unresolved controversy in MLB

The 2017 Houston Astros scandal remains the most infamous of its likes. While the Boston were fined in 2018 and the Yankees were linked to past sign-stealing allegations, Astros services were the most elaborate. The team utilized a video feed to decode signs (Codebreaker) and relay them to the hitter by banging on a trash can.

But none of it could take away the Houston Astros 2017 championship ring, fueling continuous resentment from fans and players alike.

The long-term effect of MLB’s leniency is evident. Since 2017, Houston Astros players have signed over $500 million in contracts. Correa landed a $200 million deal with the Twins, George Springer secured a $150 million with the Jays, and now it’s Alex Bregman at Boston!

Teams affected by Houston’s scheme, like the Yankees and Dodgers, still feel robbed of championships. And now many feel like Alex Bregman’s contract is not just a payday, it is a reminder of MLB’s failure to uphold liability.

As long as former stars benefit without any apparent setback, criticism of the league’s management will continue.

Do you think MLB should issue tougher penalties? Or is it time to move on?