Yankees, MLB appeal order to unseal letter about possible sign-stealing

The New York Yankees, Major League Baseball, and MLB Advanced Media have appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit about a federal judge's order to unseal a 2017 letter that could link the team to sign-stealing, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic.

On Friday, judge Jed Rakoff gave the Yankees until noon Monday to reveal the details of the document, which was sent from commissioner Rob Manfred to team general manager Brian Cashman. However, the club argued that disclosing the information would cause "significant reputational injury."

Rakoff's orders stemmed from a now-dismissed lawsuit that fantasy sports contestants filed against the team and league.

With the appellate process underway, Manfred's letter to Cashman is likely to stay sealed until at least August while a decision is made, sources told Drellich.

MLB found the Yankees were guilty of minor infractions in 2017, but the lawsuit stated the letter proves otherwise.

"Plaintiffs alleged that the 2017 press release falsely suggested that the investigation found that the Yankees had only engaged in a minor technical infraction, whereas, according to plaintiffs, the investigation had in fact found that the Yankees engaged in a more serious, sign-stealing scheme," Rakoff wrote Friday.

The same investigation also disclosed the Boston Red Sox used an Apple Watch to relay signs. However, the details of New York's scheme weren't revealed.