The sign-stealing/pitch-tipping storyline sparked by this month’s heated Toronto Blue Jays-New York Yankees series won’t dissipate.

In an interview released Monday with former MLB Network host Chris Rose, right-hander Chris Bassitt was asked about the shenanigans from the series opener, where Yankees hitters Jake Bauers and Aaron Judge were caught on camera glancing over toward first base coach Travis Chapman, likely signalling that both hitters were receiving signs about an upcoming pitch.

And the 34-year-old provided his perspective on the controversial incident, revealing many in the Blue Jays’ dugout knew what was transpiring across the diamond.

“They knew we were tipping and they were relaying tips,” Bassitt said. “Is that illegal? No. Is it kind of that grey area, of ‘if the first and third base coaches are having to relay tips?’…you can argue that back and forth.

“Judge’s response to it? I had no problem with it. Was it a lie? Yeah, it was a lie,” he continued. “What do you want him to do, come out and say, ‘Hey, all their pitchers are tipping and I’m going to tell them how they’re tipping. I just think he kind of made up a story just to basically kind of say, like, ‘I’m not going to tell them they’re tipping. Why would I say that?'”

Blue Jays skipper John Schneider highlighted these concerns later in the series, leading to many discussions with umpires about the correct positioning involving the first and third base coaches’ boxes. In the end, however, many agreed these actions were silly and petty, as neither team followed the guidelines for long – nor does the rest of baseball.

Jay Jackson ultimately admitted to tipping his pitches during that eighth inning, which saw Judge demolish a middle-middle slider 462 feet to straightaway centre field. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have stated multiple times since then that it’s on them to do everything possible to ensure nothing like this is used against them in future.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds when these two teams meet in late September – what’ll surely be a thrilling hunt for the playoffs down the stretch.