While many around MLB had an inkling that the Houston Astros were stealing signs, it was Oakland A's pitcher and former Astros starter Mike Fiers who went on the record in a story in The Athletic that opened up the league's investigation that resulted in the year-long suspensions, and firings, of manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow.
"I think that he’s been viewed as a rat," Garner said. "If it was a big deal for you why didn’t you bring it up when you were with the Astros? Why didn’t you step up and stop it? You’re going to wait until you’re on another team? You’re going to enjoy the fruits of any success being had by the team, you’re enjoying that until you go away and say 'I don’t like that anymore.' To me, that’s not a very good standard and I think most baseball players are going to view it that way."
Fiers will inevitably pitch against the Astros this season, as the A's and Houston play each other 19 times inside the AL West.
The right-hander was traded to the Houston Astros before the July 31 trade deadline in 2015 for Josh Hader, Domingo Santana, Adrian Houser and Brett Phillips, and spent the next two-and-a-half seasons in Houston, which included winning a World Series in 2017.
Garner also gave his perspective on the Astros scandal, punishment and gave a manager's view of what Hinch went through.