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Post by kaybli on Feb 6, 2019 18:31:47 GMT -5
MLB proposes three-batter minimum; MLBPA proposes NL DH in 2019
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have sent proposals to each other focusing on ways to improve the game, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. MLB’s biggest suggestion would create a three-batter minimum for pitchers in an effort to reduce the amount of pitching changes made by managers, oftentimes grinding the game to a halt — particularly if it’s a mid-inning substitution.
Among the union’s suggestions is a universal designated hitter beginning this year. According to Rosenthal, citing commissioner Rob Manfred, the union has been trying to get the DH in the National League for more than three decades. The American League adopted the DH rule in 1973.
The union also suggested lowering a team’s draft position if it fails to reach a certain number of wins across multiple seasons. That would address the issue of tanking which has plagued baseball for close to a decade.
Per Rosenthal, if the union and MLB don’t reach an agreement, Manfred still has the power to unilaterally implement three rules changes he proposed last year: a 20-second pitch clock, reducing mound visits from six to five, and placing a runner on second base to start extra innings beyond the 10th inning in spring training games and the All-Star Game. In the current proposal MLB sent to the MLBPA, the league seeks to reduce mound visits from six to four in 2019 and then down to three in 2020. The league also seeks, for the 2020 season, to expand to a 26-man roster while reducing expanded rosters in September from 40 to 28.
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Post by noetsi on Feb 6, 2019 20:14:52 GMT -5
I wish they would get rid of the shift which I truly hate, but I don't think that is going to occur. I don't see NL teams agreeing to have a DH. I think the 26 man roster would set a limit of 12 pitchers which sound awesome to me  |
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 6, 2019 22:19:15 GMT -5
The universal DH should have been implemented years ago, it's absurd that the two leagues have different rules, plus it seriously hampers the AL teams when they have to play at the NL ballparks without their full lineup.
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 7, 2019 9:41:42 GMT -5
More potential rule changes. I'm not sure about this one.
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Post by michcusejoe5 on Feb 7, 2019 9:42:43 GMT -5
A three-batter minimum for pitchers
A universal designated hitter
A single trade deadline before the All-Star break
A 20-second pitch clock
The expansion of rosters to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum
Draft advantages for winning teams and penalties for losing teams
A study to lower the mound
A rule that would allow two-sport amateurs to sign major league contracts
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Post by kaybli on Feb 7, 2019 9:57:35 GMT -5
A three-batter minimum for pitchers: No
A universal designated hitter: Yes
A single trade deadline before the All-Star break: Yes
A 20-second pitch clock: Yes
The expansion of rosters to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum: Yes.
Draft advantages for winning teams and penalties for losing teams: Yes.
A study to lower the mound: No.
A rule that would allow two-sport amateurs to sign major league contracts: Don't know.
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 7, 2019 9:58:17 GMT -5
A single trade deadline before the All-Star break The expansion of rosters to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum With the way teams use so many pitchers in today's game, I'm surprised MLB hasn't gone to the 26 man rosters. I know there's an additional costs, but it would help in the long run and the union would certainly be a fan, since it would create more jobs. I like the idea of the single trade deadline, gets rid of that August 31st nonsense. |
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Post by domeplease on Feb 7, 2019 10:21:10 GMT -5
MLB has to do something to shorten the games to attract the rapidly growing new Demographics (Future Fans = Future Revenue, etc.).
Next to Golf (lowest ranked), baseball was ranked very low with the Youth to either Play, Attend Games, Watch on Media, etc.
Everything (potential changes), should be on the Table in order to: 'Vault Baseball Into The Future'. |
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Post by NewYawka on Feb 7, 2019 11:41:17 GMT -5
I understand where they are going with the three batter minimum, but what happens if the pitcher gets hurt and has to leave the game before the 3rd batter? And if a pitcher is struggling, what prevents them from "getting hurt" and having to come out of the game?
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Post by greatfatness on Feb 7, 2019 13:27:21 GMT -5
The universal DH should have been implemented years ago, it's absurd that the two leagues have different rules, plus it seriously hampers the AL teams when they have to play at the NL ballparks without their full lineup. Also, take a look at how Boston's DH hit last WS as compared to LA, playing without a roster built for a DH. For sure it disadvantaged the Dodgers. Makes good sense to change this and have DH in all leagues. |
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Post by greatfatness on Feb 7, 2019 13:31:09 GMT -5
A three-batter minimum for pitchers: No A universal designated hitter: Yes A single trade deadline before the All-Star break: Yes A 20-second pitch clock: Yes The expansion of rosters to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum: Yes. Draft advantages for winning teams and penalties for losing teams: Yes. A study to lower the mound: No. A rule that would allow two-sport amateurs to sign major league contracts: Don't know. Agreed on all of these. I'd also add - if the 3 batter minimum is intended to address how MicroBinder and similar overzealous managers slow the games down, get rid of the break to allow pitchers more time to warm up when they're added to the game. You warm up in the pen or you don't come in. Taking 10 pitches to the mitt while the game stops should be unnecessary. |
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Post by NewYawka on Feb 7, 2019 14:48:37 GMT -5
I'd also add - if the 3 batter minimum is intended to address how MicroBinder and similar overzealous managers slow the games down, get rid of the break to allow pitchers more time to warm up when they're added to the game. You warm up in the pen or you don't come in. Taking 10 pitches to the mitt while the game stops should be unnecessary. I like this one. Outside of a freak injury to the active pitcher, there is no reason for a RP to need additional warmup when they enter. It will still take a couple of minutes for them to come in from the BP, but would save some time. Maybe they can bring back the little cars that used to drive the RP in from the bullpen. That would speed it up, right?!?  |
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Post by noetsi on Feb 7, 2019 15:57:26 GMT -5
I am sure the 3 batter rule will have exceptions to players that are hurt.
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Post by pippsheadache on Feb 7, 2019 16:11:00 GMT -5
I understand where they are going with the three batter minimum, but what happens if the pitcher gets hurt and has to leave the game before the 3rd batter? And if a pitcher is struggling, what prevents them from "getting hurt" and having to come out of the game? I think the way around that is that if a pitcher is hurt, either for real or faking it so that another pitcher can be brought in, he has to go on the disabled list. You can still do it, but there is a price to pay. It was almost inevitable that rosters would expand with the increasing use of bullpen pitchers. Benches are way too thin with 13-man pitching staffs. Even 12-man staffs are relatively recent developments. There is no reason more pitchers can't work two or three innings in relief if you insist on limiting most starters to five or six innings. The other option, if we really do need to bring an additional 30-60 pitchers into the major leagues (and thereby diluting the quality) is to try the hockey approach of a healthy scratch, maybe carrying 28 men but only 25 can suit up on any given day. Much to my surprise, at least according to RAB, the Yankees used a pitcher for fewer than three batters less than any other team in the majors last year, with 37 such occasions. I miss the versatility of having say a five-man bench as opposed to the ridiculously thin three-man bench. I'm fine with most of these changes, especially the universal DH. Jeez, nearly a half-century delayed from what it should have been all along. |
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 7, 2019 16:30:16 GMT -5
Much to my surprise, at least according to RAB, the Yankees used a pitcher for fewer than three batters less than any other team in the majors last year, with 37 such occasions. I guess that's a combination of having bullpen studs like Chapman, Betances, Britton, Robertson and Green who can get lefites and righthanders out, plus no situational lefty for most of the season. |
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