Potential changes to the MLB

[ScooterDance]

I don't have a mega strong opinion on any of these. 

 

What I do have a strong opinion on is my appreciation for experimentation. For a league that is historically buried under "this is how we've always done it", I think it's delightful to see them considering some really ... out there ... changes.

 

Using an independent league to evaluate the efficacy of these experiments - brilliant. Incremental improvements will deliver more value to fans, organizations, and the league as a whole. Big fan.

[Rosterman]

I like the roster expansion. Get that extra guy for the bench. The union should love having thirty more players making minimum.

 

It's too bad about the tighter September rosters. I would think the union would LIKE to see more players get major league experience, even if it is a couple of weeks. And sometimes the opportunity to bring up a guy who needs a big more time for pensions and such. I'm wondering if we may see more disabled list visits for "fake" injuries.

 

Plus of note is that a pitcher now needs to go on the DL or back to the minors for 15 days.

 

Interesting about making a pitcher face three batters. Man, what if they are wild wild wild. I guess this could be a game changer in some ways. Also, will teams need to have as deep bullpens (13 pitchers). Any comments? Going to miss the need for a lefty specialist. Also we will never see Astulido pitch again now!

 

Make the bases bigger? Heck, let's make them even bigger. And sink them into the ground so no one ever trips over them.

 

The trading deadline as a media event? Now two waiver rounds in August. You put them out there and they are gone gone gone for nothing (but salary pickup) or you wave bye-bye and eat the salary. Interesting. Lots of player trades for prospects (and some salary eating) happening in July now.

 

Let's destroy the shift! 

 

I hear managers and pitching coaches hated walking out to the mound anyways. Maybe they need a trapdoor on the mound instead.

 

So fewer commercials. They have to charge more to pay for that extra player, y'know.

 

Can't make a decision on the DH yet, eh?

 

Items still up for discussion. I would like to see arbitration remain at Super Two or Three Years. If players produce, they are going to get paid. Unless you are an over 30-free-agent, it seems, looking for that huge contract. Again, talent wins out. There are more and more players now than ever, it seems, and - I'm sorry - you do make a good living playing pr ball once you reach the majors.

 

As for arguments about increased minor league pay. After six years, players can make more money (or if they make the 40-man). The first couple of years should be a step about internships. Hey, look at what minor league teams pay their staffs (or better yet, what major league teams pay people in the front office that aren't executives). If you make it to the majors, you are one-step away from being set for life, compared to many many many others in this world...with enough time for another second career in the wings.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I like the roster expansion. Get that extra guy for the bench. The union should love having thirty more players making minimum.

 

It's too bad about the tighter September rosters. I would think the union would LIKE to see more players get major league experience, even if it is a couple of weeks. And sometimes the opportunity to bring up a guy who needs a big more time for pensions and such. I'm wondering if we may see more disabled list visits for "fake" injuries.

 

Plus of note is that a pitcher now needs to go on the DL or back to the minors for 15 days.

 

Interesting about making a pitcher face three batters. Man, what if they are wild wild wild. I guess this could be a game changer in some ways. Also, will teams need to have as deep bullpens (13 pitchers). Any comments? Going to miss the need for a lefty specialist. Also we will never see Astulido pitch again now!

 

Make the bases bigger? Heck, let's make them even bigger. And sink them into the ground so no one ever trips over them.

 

The trading deadline as a media event? Now two waiver rounds in August. You put them out there and they are gone gone gone for nothing (but salary pickup) or you wave bye-bye and eat the salary. Interesting. Lots of player trades for prospects (and some salary eating) happening in July now.

 

Let's destroy the shift! 

 

I hear managers and pitching coaches hated walking out to the mound anyways. Maybe they need a trapdoor on the mound instead.

 

So fewer commercials. They have to charge more to pay for that extra player, y'know.

 

Can't make a decision on the DH yet, eh?

 

Items still up for discussion. I would like to see arbitration remain at Super Two or Three Years. If players produce, they are going to get paid. Unless you are an over 30-free-agent, it seems, looking for that huge contract. Again, talent wins out. There are more and more players now than ever, it seems, and - I'm sorry - you do make a good living playing pr ball once you reach the majors.

 

As for arguments about increased minor league pay. After six years, players can make more money (or if they make the 40-man). The first couple of years should be a step about internships. Hey, look at what minor league teams pay their staffs (or better yet, what major league teams pay people in the front office that aren't executives). If you make it to the majors, you are one-step away from being set for life, compared to many many many others in this world...with enough time for another second career in the wings.

 

 

And, then factor in you need to buy multiple pairs of shoes, gloves, pay for private coaching, etc......

 

How many internships last 3-5 years? Seriously.

[Loosey]

 

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet or not but the MLB is contemplating some changes to the game.

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26190498/robot-umps-shift-ban-coming-atlantic-league

 

 

• Using a TrackMan radar system to help umpires call balls and strikes
• Extending the distance between the pitching rubber from 60 feet, 6 inches to 62 feet, 6 inches in the second half of the season
• Mandating that two infielders are on each side of the second-base bag when a pitch is released, with the penalty being a ball
• A three-batter minimum for pitchers -- a rule MLB and the MLB Players Association are considering for the 2020 season as they near an agreement on a smaller set of changes
• No mound visits, other than for pitching changes or injuries
• Increasing the size of first, second and third base from 15 inches to 18 inches
• Reducing the time between innings and pitching changes from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1 minute, 45 seconds

 

 

What does everyone think?

#2 and #6 I don't like.  That is materially changing the game and how it is played.  The others won't necessarily have results on the outcome of games due to changes, other than the two infielder rule.

[Rosterman]

 

 

And, then factor in you need to buy multiple pairs of shoes, gloves, pay for private coaching, etc......

 

How many internships last 3-5 years? Seriously.

 

Well, post-secondary education, and you are paying for it (or you get a scholarship / bonus money in baseball). In my early days of arts I did four years of free and cheap summer stock getting experience, having to find another job when that job ended. And, like sports, never made it bigtime although I have had many survival years in my first ten years and my last 15 - with a real job in-between.

 

Yes, it is a struggle. Probably more than it should be for those formative years. 

 

Man, look at ALL the players playing Indy ball hoping for the one more chance to be on a major league minor league roster!

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Well, post-secondary education, and you are paying for it (or you get a scholarship / bonus money in baseball). In my early days of arts I did four years of free and cheap summer stock getting experience, having to find another job when that job ended. And, like sports, never made it bigtime although I have had many survival years in my first ten years and my last 15 - with a real job in-between.

 

Yes, it is a struggle. Probably more than it should be for those formative years. 

 

Man, look at ALL the players playing Indy ball hoping for the one more chance to be on a major league minor league roster!

 

You weren't working for a multi billion dollar industry rolling in money. There's a huge difference there. 

[Jim Hahn]

 

And, then factor in you need to buy multiple pairs of shoes, gloves, pay for private coaching, etc......

 

How many internships last 3-5 years? Seriously.

More than you might think. My niece has a Master's degree, and finds herself in a low paying job in her chosen field. She is kind of waiting for somebody to retire or move on in order to get a good paying job. She will probably have to change fields to achieve that.

[drock2190]

I think the 3 batter minimum would work but there needs to be an exception. If a pitcher comes in and walks two straight batters or hits them (any combination), he should be able to pulled after two batters. No need to put the batters at risk because the pitcher can't find the plate.

[Mike Sixel]

 

More than you might think. My niece has a Master's degree, and finds herself in a low paying job in her chosen field. She is kind of waiting for somebody to retire or move on in order to get a good paying job. She will probably have to change fields to achieve that.

 

Less than 10K per year? Does she pay her own work related expenses too?

 

I'm not saying that ballplayers don't make a choice....but there is a monopoly of 30 teams, rolling in billions of dollars virtually risk free, not paying employees. Did you know that non roster catchers get paid zero dollars in spring training? Working for major league teams that need someone to catch all the pitchers?

[Shaitan]

 

I think the 3 batter minimum would work but there needs to be an exception. If a pitcher comes in and walks two straight batters or hits them (any combination), he should be able to pulled after two batters. No need to put the batters at risk because the pitcher can't find the plate.

Then they claim an injury, just like the NFL does when they need a free timeout.

[Shaitan]

 

No more August waiver trade deadline! This is good.

 

Now teams can tank even earlier and, when the Twins are below .500, the season is over even sooner. I don't get how this one helps the league.

[Vanimal46]

Now teams can tank even earlier and, when the Twins are below .500, the season is over even sooner. I don't get how this one helps the league.

Personally I never liked the 2 deadline dates... It made July 31st pretty anticlimactic the last couple of years. The August waiver wire deadline was weird and mostly used to block players from being traded to a division rival or whatever.

[Rosterman]

 

Personally I never liked the 2 deadline dates... It made July 31st pretty anticlimactic the last couple of years. The August waiver wire deadline was weird and mostly used to block players from being traded to a division rival or whatever.

Yeah, that was always an interesting aspect. Multiple teams show interest, you pull the player back...maybe. What will be more interesting in teams making a claim. Of course, freeing up roster space can include a player...but this means a team doesn't have to work out a trade or anything. Pure dump. Also interesting on setting rosters for the playoffs.

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

I sorta dig this "Election Day" idea for all star starters.  It's an interesting twist that I hope is really successful and hyped.

[notoriousgod71]

 

Regarding #2, I think the biggest plus is that it will be slightly safer for the pitcher. On the other hand, giving the batter a bit longer to size up the pitch may mean more line drives up the middle. It's hard to know, which of course is exactly why experiments are performed.

I think this will be a much bigger adjustment for the pitchers than the batters and catchers. (I was going to include umpires but then I remembered #1.)

 

How is this even possible to just change the distance from the mound to home plate MID-SEASON?!!!

 

I agree with the posters that say this is going to create more injuries as people try to adjust and compensate. Two feet doesn't sound like a lot but for someone who has pitched for 20 years at one distance to suddenly have to adjust?

 

And again MID-SEASON?!!!! Why not change the base paths to 82 feet or move the fences out 10 feet if they are going to try this customizable video game bull ****?

 

MID-SEASON!!!!!!

[Riverbrian]

 

Less than 10K per year? Does she pay her own work related expenses too?

 

I'm not saying that ballplayers don't make a choice....but there is a monopoly of 30 teams, rolling in billions of dollars virtually risk free, not paying employees. Did you know that non roster catchers get paid zero dollars in spring training? Working for major league teams that need someone to catch all the pitchers?

 

I agree with you Mike. 

 

Here's an article for all to read. 

 

https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2018/3/23/17152778/spending-bill-minor-league-baseball-explained-save-americas-pastime

 

On page 1,967 of a 2,232 page 1.3 trillion omnibus bill. Section 13(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to exempt minor league baseball players (Just Minor League Baseball Players... they are specifically singled out) from a class of workers entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay. 

 

I repeat... Page 1,967 or a 2,232 page omnibus bill. This was done under the cover of darkness by simply attaching it to the bill without discussion. It was discussed prior and rejected.

 

MLB Baseball purchased a couple of Senators.  These are not normal Internship type arguments. 

 

This is bull crap. 

 

 

[cardsfan]

Two way players rule is unnecessary and 13 max pitchers. Ohtani is listed as a pitcher until he bats in 20 games then the Angels can have him designated as position player.

[Shaitan]

 

Two way players rule is unnecessary and 13 max pitchers. Ohtani is listed as a pitcher until he bats in 20 games then the Angels can have him designated as position player.

What about a P in the NL. When they get 20 AB does their "position" change?

 

I don't like that aspect at all. If a team wants to carry 15 pitchers, let them. They're the ones who have to deal with no bench.

 

In short, if a rule change raises more questions than it answers, it's probably a bad rule. Simplicity is good is baseball. If you want "what ifs" watch the NFL.

 

I'm curious if the 26-person roster rule changes for doubleheaders (and, similarly, the 13 pitchers rule).

 

 

[cardsfan]

What about a P in the NL. When they get 20 AB does their "position" change?

 

I don't like that aspect at all. If a team wants to carry 15 pitchers, let them. They're the ones who have to deal with no bench.

 

In short, if a rule change raises more questions than it answers, it's probably a bad rule. Simplicity is good is baseball. If you want "what ifs" watch the NFL.

 

I'm curious if the 26-person roster rule changes for doubleheaders (and, similarly, the 13 pitchers rule).

What about a P in the NL. When they get 20 AB does their "position" change?

 

I don't like that aspect at all. If a team wants to carry 15 pitchers, let them. They're the ones who have to deal with no bench.

 

In short, if a rule change raises more questions than it answers, it's probably a bad rule. Simplicity is good is baseball. If you want "what ifs" watch the NFL.

 

I'm curious if the 26-person roster rule changes for doubleheaders (and, similarly, the 13 pitchers rule).

What this means Ohtani can bat DH for 20 games, but, in the NL without DH I don’t think pinch hitting counts as a game. So would the pitcher be selected in away game and then remove in bottom of 1st where a replacement takes over. You would have to do this 20 games x 3 ABs.

 

Need more info. Ohtani will be DH on days he doesn’t pitch in 2020. He isn’t pitching this year.

 

See: https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-mlb-rule-changes-ohtani-angels-20190314-story.html

[Vanimal46]

 

This would be a terrible idea for 25 teams in the league. If the goal is for NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago to hoard all of the amateur talent go ahead.

[Kelly Vance]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[jkcarew]

 

This would be a terrible idea for 25 teams in the league. If the goal is for NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago to hoard all of the amateur talent go ahead.

Something I'd expect the head of a player's union to say these days. Doesn't solve anything, but like most things the players union comes up with, it sure would be great for all the very top end guys, and sure would be problematic (or worse) for everyone else. Let's make the next Bryce Harper even richer even earlier...meanwhile, the next Ian Kinsler or Adam Eaton (or Jaylin Davis) can start in independent ball and work at Walmart in the mornings during home-stands.

[biggentleben]

 

This would be a terrible idea for 25 teams in the league. If the goal is for NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago to hoard all of the amateur talent go ahead.

 

Completely depends on how you set it up. You can do something like they do in the international market now with a limit in spending that's a hard cap. The big issue is that you then open yourself up to the same manipulation of pre-pubescent boys' futures due to the game by MLB teams offering under-table money.

[biggentleben]

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

The draft is significantly cracked. This may not be the fix, but there are significant issues.

[Whammy]

Let me guess... Tony Clark also wants the draft spending limits to go away?

[old nurse]

 

This would be a terrible idea for 25 teams in the league. If the goal is for NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago to hoard all of the amateur talent go ahead.

40 rounds of draft, with competitive balance picks, there is no lack of entry into the game. Tony Clark as head of the union that negotiated the last contract that includes the drafting procedures and payouts. If that contract is so awful in his opinion because it restricts how much prospects can be paid in bonuses he should resign for his failures.

[Mike Sixel]

https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1148624321109266432?s=19

 

This would be a terrible idea for 25 teams in the league. If the goal is for NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago to hoard all of the amateur talent go ahead.

I have an article three fourths written on how this could work.....

[Mike Sixel]

Something I'd expect the head of a player's union to say these days. Doesn't solve anything, but like most things the players union comes up with, it sure would be great for all the very top end guys, and sure would be problematic (or worse) for everyone else. Let's make the next Bryce Harper even richer even earlier...meanwhile, the next Ian Kinsler or Adam Eaton (or Jaylin Davis) can start in independent ball and work at Walmart in the mornings during home-stands.

 

other than players making more money and having a say where they live and work, it does done nothing... Sure.

[Mike Sixel]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's completely broke. Ask Kyler Murray.... And other athletes who would like some freedom before they are thirty plus years old....

[Vanimal46]

It's completely broke. Ask Kyler Murray.... And other athletes who would like some freedom before they are thirty plus years old....

Sounds like you're making an argument to decrease the amount of control an organization has over a young player instead of scrapping the draft. I concur with decreasing 6+ years of control on a young player.