Oh, how the Astros are walking back their staunch denials of allegations that they used certain sign-stealing techniques to gain advantages, including during their 2017 World Series-winning run.

Per SNY, some information regarding the MLB's broad probe into the Astros alleged illegal act has now been leaked. League investigators have spoken to over 60 sources, including many current and former members of the Astros organization. Several witnesses were willing to admit to sign-stealing apparently within the basic unwritten rules of the game. That is, they're unwilling to admit the Astros took matters to the extreme.

Several witnesses were willing to admit to sign-stealing within the basic unwritten rules of the game. That is, they're unwilling to admit the Astros took matters to the extreme.

"We did ask for a game centerfield [video] feed to decode signs, as many teams do," one witness told MLB, according to Martino. "All we asked for was a live feed."

Sign-stealing admittedly remains a common practice in MLB. While illegal, teams are generally known to toe the line, but the allegations against the Astros -- that they used a camera in the outfield to relay signal in real-time via a loud banging sound -- which has since been backed up by some curious video -- go beyond this benchmark.

Therefore, it's not surprising that some Astros are willing to admit to less serious allegations, as copping to potential bombshell-level wrongdoings would surely lead to large fines and odious suspensions.