Trout 'lost respect' for Astros players, thinks punishment wasn't enough

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout didn't hold back when discussing the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal on Monday.

"They cheated," Trout said, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. "I don't agree with the punishment ... I lost respect for some of those guys."

While former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and skipper AJ Hinch were suspended by Major League Baseball - and subsequently fired - no Astros players will be punished by the league.

Trout added that Houston's hitters had gained a substantial advantage by stealing signs.

"Going up to the plate knowing what's coming ... that would be a lot of fun," he said.

The three-time AL MVP also referenced the controversy surrounding Astros star Jose Altuve, who refused to remove his shirt in celebration after hitting an ALDS-clinching home run off New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. Some have accused Altuve of wearing a buzzer underneath his shirt to receive signs - something Altuve's denied.

"You can take my shirt off," Trout said, according to Ardaya. He added: "If you hit a homer to send your team to the World Series at home, you can do whatever you want to me."

Trout is just the latest player to chastise the Astros for illegally stealing signs after the league released its report in January detailing findings from the 2017 season.

Others who've expressed disappointment or anger toward Houston include Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs stars Kris Bryant and Yu Darvish, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Trevor Bauer, and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.