Las Vegas was the backdrop this week as Major League Baseball (MLB) officials gathered for the annual general managers’ meetings, shortly after serious allegations surfaced regarding two players involved in a pitch-betting scheme. U.S. federal prosecutors claim that Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz received thousands of dollars to influence their pitching performance, helping bettors net more than $460,000.
The allegations, which were detailed in an indictment from the Eastern District of New York, have raised significant concerns about the integrity of the game. The accusations were officially unsealed on Sunday, leading to Ortiz’s arraignment in Boston, followed by Clase’s scheduled court appearance in New York. The gravity of the situation loomed over the meetings held at the Cosmopolitan hotel, where executives from all 30 teams engaged in discussions about player trades and free-agent signings amid the ironic setting of a casino.
During the meetings, Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, expressed the escalating challenges posed by sports betting, particularly with easy access via mobile devices. “It’s probably not the last time that we’re going to be addressing this because of the ease of gambling, as we sit here in a casino,” he remarked, highlighting the ongoing struggle to maintain the sport’s integrity.
The issue has sparked widespread concern among league officials. Chris Young, president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers, emphasized the need for regulations designed to protect players, coaches, and umpires from the negative impacts of gambling. “You’d hate to have anything that can come in and soil it the way sort of this gambling thing has,” he stated, echoing the sentiments of many present.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow supported this view, noting that the threats facing players are real and must be addressed. Despite acknowledging the severity of the situation, many general managers were reluctant to propose concrete solutions. Alex Anthopoulos, president of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves, stated, “I just don’t want to touch the topic,” while others like Brandon Gomes, general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, admitted a lack of focus on the issue.
Prominent player agent Scott Boras provided one of the strongest statements during the meetings, calling for a complete ban on prop bets, which are wagers tied to specific player or play outcomes. He argued that such bets create integrity questions, particularly when they involve a player deliberately throwing pitches in a certain way. Following the indictment, MLB announced new limits on “pitch-level” prop bets, capping individual wagers at $200 and prohibiting their inclusion in parlay bets. Boras criticized this move, asserting that the only solution is to eliminate such betting entirely.
Despite the league’s efforts to address integrity risks, many executives remained hesitant to take a firm stance on the future of prop bets. Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Guardians, described the situation as “complicated” and acknowledged that he is preparing for the upcoming season as if Clase and Ortiz will not be part of the team.
The Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn a federal ban on sports wagers has led to a significant increase in gambling activity, with Americans legally betting approximately $150 billion on sports in 2024, according to the American Gaming Association. This surge has also brought to light various issues, including gambling addictions and harassment directed at players and their families.
Boras emphasized the need for enhanced mental health support for athletes, stating, “We have gotten kidnapping threats. We’ve gotten all forms of things.” His remarks echoed the experiences of players like Liam Hendriks and Garrett Whitlock, who have spoken out about the harassment they and their families have endured.
As the MLB grapples with these challenges, it is clear that educating players about gambling regulations is crucial. Breslow noted that the league takes such rules seriously and that ongoing education is essential to influence player behavior positively. “We just have to realize that it’s a bit of a different world that we live in right now,” he concluded.
As the meetings wrapped up, the executives acknowledged the complexities of the issues surrounding sports betting. While they are aware of the risks, many do not see it as their individual responsibility to address these concerns, leaving the future of gambling in baseball uncertain.
