Jose Urquidy Reveals Shocking Reason He Signed with Tigers

DETROIT, MI - Jose Urquidy, a former Astros pitcher who just inked a deal with the Detroit Tigers, dropped a bombshell that’s got the MLB world buzzing. In a candid moment, Urquidy admitted, “I missed the cheating,” as his reason for reuniting with ex-Astros manager AJ Hinch in Detroit. Yeah, you read that right. Let’s unpack this drama, because it’s juicier than a summer doubleheader.

For those who need a refresher, AJ Hinch was the skipper of the 2017 Houston Astros, the team that won the World Series but later got exposed for one of the biggest cheating scandals in modern baseball. We’re talking cameras in center field, trash cans banging to signal pitches, and even whispers of buzzers on players to tip them off. The Astros got caught red-handed, Hinch took a one-year suspension, and the whole organization became the poster child for MLB’s “how not to play fair” manual. Hinch has since moved on to manage the Tigers, where he’s been trying to rebuild his reputation and the team’s fortunes. But Urquidy’s comment just dragged all that 2017 filth right back into the spotlight.

Now, let’s be clear: Jose Urquidy wasn’t on the Astros’ big-league roster in 2017. He was toiling away in their minor league system at the time, working his way up the ranks. But here’s where it gets messy—plenty of baseball insiders have long suspected that the Astros’ cheating wasn’t limited to the majors. Rumors have swirled for years that Houston’s farm system was in on the act, using similar sign-stealing tactics to give their prospects an edge. Was Urquidy part of that? We don’t know for sure, but his “I missed the cheating” quip sure makes you wonder what he saw—or did—down in the minors.

Urquidy, who spent six seasons with the Astros and was part of their 2022 World Series-winning squad, signed with the Tigers this offseason, reuniting with Hinch. The 29-year-old right-hander has a solid track record when healthy, with a career 3.98 ERA over 70 starts. But his comment about missing the cheating has raised eyebrows across the league. Is he saying he misses the edge the Astros allegedly had? Or is this just a poorly worded attempt at humor? Either way, it’s a wild thing to say out loud, especially when you’re joining a manager who’s still trying to shake off the stink of that 2017 scandal.

We reached out to AJ Hinch for a reaction to Urquidy’s statement, and his response was about as exciting as a rain delay: “No comment.” Classic Hinch—dodging the heat like he’s still ducking questions about trash can symphonies. You’d think a guy who’s been through the ringer would have a better poker face, but apparently not.

So, what’s the deal here? Is Urquidy just nostalgic for the days when the Astros were allegedly playing fast and loose with the rules? Or is there something deeper at play? Some fans on X are already speculating that the Tigers might be up to some old tricks with Hinch at the helm, but there’s zero evidence of that—so far. Still, Urquidy’s comment isn’t doing his new team any favors in the PR department.

Here’s the bottom line: the Astros’ cheating scandal refuses to die, and every time someone like Urquidy opens their mouth, it’s like pouring gasoline on a fire that’s been smoldering for years. Whether he meant it as a joke or not, saying “I missed the cheating” is a bold move for a guy who’s now wearing a Tigers cap. As far as we know, Urquidy didn’t say this after signing with the Tigers, but the timing couldn’t be worse. MLB fans have long memories, and they’re not about to let this one slide.