Hinch the fall-guy as Manfred paints himself into a corner.

Some quick, random thoughts about the Astros punishments handed down earlier today. Of course, AC already covered this in detail.

A.J. Hinch is the fall guy: Despite disapproving of the scheme, and damaging the video monitor twice, and being cleared of being the creative genius behind the scheme, A.J. Hinch copped the same suspension as Jeff Luhnow. It seems that this was a predetermined decision - as clipped from MLB's nine page summary:

It seems that when the Red Sox got busted in 2017, Rob Manfred decided to ensure that management and front office staff would be part of the punishment, presumably mostly as a deterrent to other clubs. I would think this would stem from the fallout of the…