Stroman: Cora's criticism of playing style is 'comical in hindsight'

Marcus Stroman and Alex Cora have somewhat of a checkered past, and now, in the wake of Major League Baseball's investigation into illegal sign-stealing, the pitcher is having a laugh at the Boston Red Sox manager's expense.

Cora said in May 2019 that the then-Toronto Blue Jays pitcher "competes a certain way and people don't like it." Stroman responded by saying he "didn't know (he) had to cater to opposing teams."

Cora was named Monday as an "active participant" in the Houston Astros' illegal sign-stealing scheme, which prompted Stroman to recall their previous interaction.

"(Cora) had the audacity to say that I compete a certain way and people don't like it," the right-hander wrote on Twitter. "Very comical in hindsight."

Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended by the league for one year for their roles in the illegal operation. They were subsequently fired by team owner Jim Crane.

The investigation into the Astros was completed Monday, and the findings and penalties were detailed in a nine-page report. However, there is still an ongoing probe into the Red Sox, so Cora's punishment - which is expected to be "harsh," according to Jeff Passan of ESPN - hasn't been officially determined.

Stroman, now a member of the New York Mets, owns a career 3.76 ERA and 3.64 FIP over six seasons. The right-hander is coming off his first All-Star appearance last year, and won the Gold Glove in 2017.