Random Baseball Musings

[Cubswin11]

Just add the DH to the NL. End of discussion. It may not be ideal from some point of views, but it's the only realistic solution and levels the playing field.

 

Getting rid of the DH is not an option because the players union would not allow 15 job spots to just disappear.

 

I've never understood this argument. It's not like all of a sudden the AL teams can only have 24 guys on their rosters. This would actually make it more likely that a marginally talented hitter would get a roster spot as a defensive replacement just about every game. There would still be the same number of players on rosters, they'd just be arranged a bit differently.

 

They wouldn't agree to losing 15 job spots that make s crapton more money than some random all glove Rey Ordonez type who gets onto a roster as the 25th man.

That and the DH allows for some of the better hitters over a generation to stay in the game longer than they normally could have without it when they no longer can really play a position anymore.

[Derwood]

Just add the DH to the NL. End of discussion. It may not be ideal from some point of views, but it's the only realistic solution and levels the playing field.

 

Getting rid of the DH is not an option because the players union would not allow 15 job spots to just disappear.

 

I've never understood this argument. It's not like all of a sudden the AL teams can only have 24 guys on their rosters. This would actually make it more likely that a marginally talented hitter would get a roster spot as a defensive replacement just about every game. There would still be the same number of players on rosters, they'd just be arranged a bit differently.

 

They wouldn't agree to losing 15 job spots that make s crapton more money than some random all glove Rey Ordonez type who gets onto a roster as the 25th man.

That and the DH allows for some of the better hitters over a generation to stay in the game longer than they normally could have without it when they no longer can really play a position anymore.

 

Maybe we should provide them a hoveround to run the bases as well

[Guest]

Just add the DH to the NL. End of discussion. It may not be ideal from some point of views, but it's the only realistic solution and levels the playing field.

 

Getting rid of the DH is not an option because the players union would not allow 15 job spots to just disappear.

 

I've never understood this argument. It's not like all of a sudden the AL teams can only have 24 guys on their rosters. This would actually make it more likely that a marginally talented hitter would get a roster spot as a defensive replacement just about every game. There would still be the same number of players on rosters, they'd just be arranged a bit differently.

 

They wouldn't agree to losing 15 job spots that make s crapton more money than some random all glove Rey Ordonez type who gets onto a roster as the 25th man.

 

What he said.

[rocket]

Just add the DH to the NL. End of discussion. It may not be ideal from some point of views, but it's the only realistic solution and levels the playing field.

 

Getting rid of the DH is not an option because the players union would not allow 15 job spots to just disappear.

 

I've never understood this argument. It's not like all of a sudden the AL teams can only have 24 guys on their rosters. This would actually make it more likely that a marginally talented hitter would get a roster spot as a defensive replacement just about every game. There would still be the same number of players on rosters, they'd just be arranged a bit differently.

 

They wouldn't agree to losing 15 job spots that make s crapton more money than some random all glove Rey Ordonez type who gets onto a roster as the 25th man.

 

What he said.

 

then expand the roster to 26 or 27

[UK1679666180]

Rocket is right, add one roster spot and the Mlbpa would likely go for it

[CubColtPacer]

I've been thinking about the DH rule. What about a compromise? Allow a DH for the starting pitcher only. Once the starting pitcher leaves, the DH or some other player has to leave the game and that becomes the pitcher's spot. The DH can replace a position player when the starting pitcher leaves, or the DH can also replace a position player earlier with the loss of the DH spot being the only penalty.

 

That preserves the vast majority of the NL strategy while making sure that pitchers rarely bat. It also allows for teams to hide players defensively for most of the game while at least forcing tough choices if their defense is atrocious. It doesn't feel too gimmicky or complicated, at least not more than the current rules surrounding the DH or double switches. It still allows for professional DH's or players returning from injury although it of course doesn't offer all the benefits that it does now.

 

Thoughts? I of course know I'm not the first one to come up with this idea, but I haven't heard it discussed much at all.

 

you damn idea stealer

 

http://northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=47724&p=1722101&hilit=modified#p1722101

 

http://northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=60288&p=2717422&hilit=modified#p2717422

 

http://northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=60383&hilit=i+trust+i+can+rely+on+your+vote&start=1425#p2753526

 

Haha and I even commented on two of those! Well, I support "your" idea. Even what Jersey brings up about the home team being slightly disadvantaged is fine with me.

[XZero771679666304]

I've done a 180 on the DH issue, and at this point I'd be happy to see the NL adopt it. I really don't care for the "strategy" having the pitcher bat adds to the game, and I despise the pretentiousness of it. It would decrease the number of breaks in the action as well as sac bunts and other such annoyances, and would lead to increased offense, which is fine by me.

 

And frankly, I think it's just a matter of time before it actually happens. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't in the near future.

[jersey cubs fan]

I've done a 180 on the DH issue, and at this point I'd be happy to see the NL adopt it. I really don't care for the "strategy" having the pitcher bat adds to the game, and I despise the pretentiousness of it. It would decrease the number of breaks in the action as well as sac bunts and other such annoyances, and would lead to increased offense, which is fine by me.

 

And frankly, I think it's just a matter of time before it actually happens. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't in the near future.

 

I'm almost exactly like you but with a willingness to explore the "modified" version.

[Guest]

Just add the DH to the NL. End of discussion. It may not be ideal from some point of views, but it's the only realistic solution and levels the playing field.

 

Getting rid of the DH is not an option because the players union would not allow 15 job spots to just disappear.

 

I've never understood this argument. It's not like all of a sudden the AL teams can only have 24 guys on their rosters. This would actually make it more likely that a marginally talented hitter would get a roster spot as a defensive replacement just about every game. There would still be the same number of players on rosters, they'd just be arranged a bit differently.

 

They wouldn't agree to losing 15 job spots that make s crapton more money than some random all glove Rey Ordonez type who gets onto a roster as the 25th man.

 

What he said.

 

then expand the roster to 26 or 27

 

why do that when we can do something much better and put the DH in the NL?

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

[Banedon]

More runs are more fun than less runs.

[rocket]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

is american league baseball really THAT much more fun to watch than national league baseball for you? you probably shouldn't follow the cubs if nl baseball is so miserable.

Edited October 29, 2013 by rocket

[rocket]

More runs are more fun than less runs.

 

hey, i'm all for juicing the ball and pumping players full of ped's.

[Banedon]

More runs are more fun than less runs.

 

hey, i'm all for juicing the ball and pumping players full of ped's.

 

Then why would you be against the DH?

 

EDIT: Unless I'm misunderstanding your previous post.

[jersey cubs fan]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

I think less fun than you think. I don't think there's that many guys who are awesome hitters but can't field. The average AL OPS this year was 724, and the average for DH only was 725. There were already seven teams with an OPS below 700 in the AL. Adding 15 more isn't going to suddenly mean 15 more good hitters.

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

I think less fun than you think. I don't think there's that many guys who are awesome hitters but can't field. The average AL OPS this year was 724, and the average for DH only was 725. There were already seven teams with an OPS below 700 in the AL. Adding 15 more isn't going to suddenly mean 15 more good hitters.

 

fair enough, but "good hitter" is relative. you're replacing a bunch of uncoordinated stiffs with competent major league hitters.

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

is american league baseball really THAT much more fun to watch than national league baseball for you? you probably shouldn't follow the cubs if nl baseball is so miserable.

 

i'm pretty sure i'm allowed to like the cubs and dislike the fact that the league they play in is behind the times and plays a less entertaining version of baseball than the other league.

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

Pitchers currently take 5% of NL plate appearances, and basically zero in high leverage/late inning situations, so, not much?

[rocket]

More runs are more fun than less runs.

 

hey, i'm all for juicing the ball and pumping players full of ped's.

 

Then why would you be against the DH?

 

EDIT: Unless I'm misunderstanding your previous post.

 

i guess since growing up i pretty much watched only nl baseball, it's just more pleasing for me to watch. i like the extra strategy of deciding whether to pinch hit for a pitcher or let him bat in an important situation, double switches, and all that jazz that goes with the pitcher batting. and regardless, i don't think having a dh adds nearly all the extra offense and fun times to a baseball game that david lets on.

[jersey cubs fan]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

I think less fun than you think. I don't think there's that many guys who are awesome hitters but can't field. The average AL OPS this year was 724, and the average for DH only was 725. There were already seven teams with an OPS below 700 in the AL. Adding 15 more isn't going to suddenly mean 15 more good hitters.

 

fair enough, but "good hitter" is relative. you're replacing a bunch of uncoordinated stiffs with competent major league hitters.

 

Sure, it's going to make a difference. The 9 spot in the AL hit 633 while the NL was 462. The overall went from 724 to 703. The spread has pretty consistently been 12-24 points of OPS overall. It will make a difference. But we aren't going to see a generation of David Ortiz clones stepping to the plate.

[rocket]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

is american league baseball really THAT much more fun to watch than national league baseball for you? you probably shouldn't follow the cubs if nl baseball is so miserable.

 

i'm pretty sure i'm allowed to like the cubs and dislike the fact that the league they play in is behind the times and plays a less entertaining version of baseball than the other league.

 

my point is, how much more exciting is having a dh? any great hitter is going to have a job in mlb, regardless of the dh rule, they'll field somewhere. and your average #9 hitter in the al vs. the pitcher batting isn't some giant difference that just shakes the foundation of the game and creates a more exciting spectacle. the #9 spot is almost always a crappy hitter no matter what the league.

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

Pitchers currently take 5% of NL plate appearances, and basically zero in high leverage/late inning situations, so, not much?

 

5% is plenty...and the DH would still be taking more than that assuming he's not the worst hitter in the lineup.

[jersey cubs fan]

i guess since growing up i pretty much watched only nl baseball, it's just more pleasing for me to watch. i like the extra strategy of deciding whether to pinch hit for a pitcher or let him bat in an important situation, double switches, and all that jazz that goes with the pitcher batting. and regardless, i don't think having a dh adds nearly all the extra offense and fun times to a baseball game that david lets on.

 

I think all of us grew up watching mostly NL baseball. I got next to no enjoyment from the "will they pinch hit for him or double switch" discussion that some people call strategy. Baseball isn't really a strategy game. It's a pitcher versus hitter game. I group up enjoying pitchers pitch to hitters.

[rocket]

also, one of the better parts of recent cubs history is any carlos zambrano at bat.

[Guest]

seriously how much more fun would it be to watch baseball with a guy whose only value is his bat in the game instead of watching what it's like for a person off the street to face major league pitching

 

is american league baseball really THAT much more fun to watch than national league baseball for you? you probably shouldn't follow the cubs if nl baseball is so miserable.

 

i'm pretty sure i'm allowed to like the cubs and dislike the fact that the league they play in is behind the times and plays a less entertaining version of baseball than the other league.

 

my point is, how much more exciting is having a dh? any great hitter is going to have a job in mlb, regardless of the dh rule, they'll field somewhere. and your average #9 hitter in the al vs. the pitcher batting isn't some giant difference that just shakes the foundation of the game and creates a more exciting spectacle. the #9 spot is almost always a crappy hitter no matter what the league.

 

that's not necessarily the case with teams that are actually good, though.

 

plus there's the added benefit that we can sign dudes to longer contracts if we don't have to expect them to actually field a position. that is, if we ever plan on spending money on major leaguers again.