With the Astros already assumed guilty of cheating, what will be the results?

Lastly, I’m concerned about the possibility of suspensions that could be handed down to those that were supposedly in the know (if there’s anything to know). Worse yet, could some heads roll in the front office or the clubhouse of key personnel?

Again, if, and I emphasize if, any improprieties took place, how far up the chain were people involved or were aware of what was happening? Who in the dugout was in on it? I can’t imagine, if there was this alleged monitor watching and trash can banging going on, how could anyone not be aware?

The front office has done an amazing job getting the Astros to where they are today. Jeff Luhnow and Co. have seemed to pull off some type of miracle every season to get them over the hump. If some of these men and women end up with significant suspensions or lose their jobs in the process, it surely would have some type of negative affect.

What if, God forbid, AJ Hinch or Brent Strom get caught up in this and are levied lengthy suspensions. How could that not adversely affect the tight cohesive bond that is so important to a winning climate? Hinch is the glue in that dugout and is no doubt a key part of the Astros success. Losing him for any period of time could be detrimental to the clubhouse environment and we all know the benefits of Strom to that pitching staff.

How many players could get tangled up in this? They are reportedly interviewing players from the team, past, and present. They are apparently promising players that if they are honest, the League will be “lenient” on them. What the heck is lenient?? Can you imagine the impact if Bregman or Altuve are suspended?

I don’t know what the outcome of this MLB investigation into the Astros sign-stealing saga will be. But I just have a bad feeling they are somehow going to make an example out of Houston. I think the problem goes way beyond just the Astros and it’s probably been a systemic problem for a while. But Rob Manfred and the MLB are going to have to save face and I’m afraid the Houston Astros are going to be the ones to suffer the most, guilty or not.

I hate to be the “Donnie Downer”, but if these penalties are severe enough, as Manfred alludes to, the Astros reign at the top may be a short-lived one and could be a long road back to the top.