Astros Fire AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow In Wake Of Penalties: Report

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday shortly after the MLB issued a one-season long suspension for their role in a sign-stealing scheme during its 2017 World Series winning season, Houston Astros owner Jime Crane announced in a press conference Monday.

Crane will oversee baseball operations moving forward, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Astros owner Jim Crane just said he will oversee baseball operations and made reference to a general manager candidate internally. That would be Pete Putila, who was elevated this offseason to assistant GM.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020

The organization has also been fined $5 million and will have to forfeit its first-and-second -round draft picks in 2020 and 2021, according to The Athletic.

The $5 million fine is the maximum allowed under the MLB constitution.

Crane did not announce immediate replacements for Hinch and Luhnow, but did mention that the organization would actively search to bring in replacements before the start of spring training.

Former Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman, who was fired for making inappropriate comments to female reporters in October, has also been placed on baseball's ineligible list.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shared a statement on the massive ruling:

Intro of a nine-page statement from Commissioner Rob Manfred on the Houston investigation. pic.twitter.com/LupM6pKCbH
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) January 13, 2020

No players part of the Astros' World Series winning team in 2017 were disciplined by the MLB in the investigation.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, though, is also expected to face "harsh" punishment for his role as a bench coach on the 2017 team, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

No players were disciplined by Major League Baseball in the Astros' investigation. While Mets manager Carlos Beltran was part of it, he was a player at the time and thus was not suspended.

Discipline for Red Sox manager Alex Cora is coming. It is going to be harsh, per sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020

The punishment from the MLB comes in the wake of an investigation that was started in November after former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers and other unnamed sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich that Houston used a system to steal signs from opposing teams during games in 2017.

Houston won the World Series in 2017 by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

The MLB's official report on the investigation is available here.

This is a developing story, please check back in for updates.