"It's a fair question," Hinch said in an interview with MLB Network. "And I think everyone's going to have to draw their own conclusion."
Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season by commissioner Rob Manfred, who found Houston illicitly used electronics to steal signs during its title run.

In an excerpt from an interview set to air Friday night, Hinch defended his players' talents but said the clubhouse put itself in a position where its achievements might be blemished.
"I hope over time, it's proven that it wasn't," he said. "But I understand the question. ... Unfortunately, we opened that door."


Manfred's report noted the cheating was "player-driven" and that Hinch did not support it but also said the manager didn't share that disapproval with players. Hinch said he was unsure how much the sign stealing might have helped.