Following the act of the NFL, the MLB and the players union are discussing game-altering rule changes.
According to an ESPN report by Jeff Passan, Major League Baseball and the Players Union are discussing a series rule changes that would bring big changes to the sport. Over the last few years, there has been much discussion regarding the lack of offense in baseball as well as the league's slow pace of play. Both issues are causing young people to abandon baseball in favor of more fast paced sports such as football or basketball. It should be no surprise then, that most of proposed rule changes hope to increase game speed and offensive output. So with that, let's get into the proposals and my take on them.
Rule #1: A Three-Batter Minimum for Pitchers
On the surface this seems like a decent rule. The MLB wants to speed up games and this would allow the league to limit the number of pitching changes per inning. However, it seems to give a competitive advantage to the offense by no longer allowing managers to play matchups or use left handed specialists. While this may not look like a big deal on the surface, I can't imagine any player, manager, or fan wants their team to lose a crucial game because the team's lefty specialist was forced to face the opposing teams right-handed slugger. Also, how much time is this really saving? So, the games will last two hours and fifty minutes instead of three hours...that'll get the kids to watch.
Rule #2: Universal DH
This rule just makes sense. With some notable exceptions, pitchers are automatic outs. Some American League teams even have their pitchers bat with their opposite hand to avoid injury during inter-league play. Having a universal DH prolongs the careers of aging players, improves defense, and most importantly will increase offensive output, which is what the MLB thinks will attract young fans to the sport. Plus....
Rule #3: 20 Second Pitch Clock
Meh...sure, go for it. No strong opinion on this one. The MLB already uses this rule in the minor leagues and reports have been good.
Rule #4: 26 Man Roster
Teams already have the taxi squad rule that allows them to call up an extra player so I doubt this would have a real impact on the game.
Rule #5: Draft Advantages for Winning Teams and Penalties for Losing Teams
This rule is vague and really depends on what the advantages and penalties are. However, I very much doubt it would really impact the league that much. Teams like the Rays, Astros, Cardinals, and even the Yankees have shown building a winner is about what kind of development system a team has in place. The league can give the worst teams extra draft picks, more money, etc but it all comes down to whether a team has the minor league infrastructure in place to develop that extra influx of talent.
Rule #6: A Study to Lower the Mound
Just no. People are pointing to the last time the MLB lowered the mound in 1968 and the how league average for runs scored increased by almost two. However, it is also important to mention that the strike zone was also made smaller and rules regarding the doctoring of balls by pitchers were enforced vigorously for the first time. For me, there would need to be a major study done before a rule like this is implemented. The traditionalist in me refuses to even consider it.
Rule #7 Major League Contracts for Two Sport Amateurs
Clearly a response to the Kyler Murray situation, this rule change seems like a good idea. When competing with other leagues for players, the MLB has to deal with the reality that it will be two to five years before drafted players make the big leagues and another six to seven before they can really cash in with free agency. Giving teams the option to offer MLB contracts can help them entice players like Murray to give baseball a go instead of going to the NFL, where he is guaranteed at least a shot at becoming a starter immediately.
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