MLB announces new rules (you aren't going to like them)

[Auggie]

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement on several rules changes that will be implemented over the next two seasons, the two organizations announced Thursday.

A single trade deadline, an All-Star game election day and a $1 million Home Run Derby prize will be introduced in 2019. The 2020 season will then bring a new roster structure designed to give more players a chance to shine, while lessening wear and tear on others. The much-talked-about three-batter minimum? It’s not coming this year, but it could in 2020.

SNIP

Gone are the days of August trades. The single trade deadline will fall on July 31, which has long been the usual non-waiver trade deadline. Also gone is all the confusion that often stemmed from the waiver trade rules.

SNIP

Per the agreement, rosters will expand from 25 to 26 players, with a maximum of 13 pitchers allowed, from opening day until Sept. 1. From that point on, rosters can expand to 28 players and 14 pitchers. That might be the more notable change since teams could previously use up to 40 players in a given September game.

Three-batter minimum coming in 2020

We’ve heard a lot about a proposed three-batter minimum for relief pitchers, but that won’t happen in 2019. It will in 2020, though, the league says. The MLBPA didn’t agree to the rule change, via reports, but the Commissioner’s Office can implement it anyway next year. The joint announcement only says the MLBPA “will not grieve or otherwise challenge” the rule change in 2020.

Full story at the link: https://news.yahoo.com/mlb-announces-new-rules-for-trade-deadline-all-star-voting-home-run-derby-152243554.html

$1 million Home Run Derby prize?



This reeks of desperation to make this event relevant and increase player participation. No one cares about the home run derby.

[Sherman A1]

1. Whatever they want to do is fine

but then I don't follow baseball at all as I find it simply a completely boring game and boring entertainment experience.

[Auggie]

2. Thanks for your contribution to my thread!

[Cartoonist]

3. I don't object too much

The American league lost me with the DH.

[stopbush]

4. The NL will go to the DH within the decade.

[CaptYossarian]

8. God forbid.

Next, we'll have those ****ing aluminum bats.

[Bradshaw3]

12. No, someone would get killed

It's one thing at lower levels, but even there they've gone to alloy bats. At the MLB level, the hitters are just too strong to use aluminum or even alloy bats.

[Cartoonist]

11. Yes, but it won't be to improve the game

It's just to please the players union.

[Different Drummer]

5. Same here. n/t

[rurallib]

6. Used to be a huge baseball fan. I keep hoping someday they

will look back and try to recapture what once made it a fun game to watch. See nothing there that will pull fans back in.

The million dollar home run derby prize as you said, just reeks. Trying to make a little gimmicky thing relevant.

baseball is now owned by multi-billionaires who care less about whatever city they are in. They run all sorts of scams on their host city. When told no they threaten to move.

I guess simply stated it is all about money now where once it was owners and players as part of and representing a city.
Well, that will never come back and most likely, neither will I.

Hope I didn't cast a pall on your thread.

That 3 batter requirement for relief pitchers seems ill advised also. Ties the manager's hands too much.

[Different Drummer]

7. They just can't leave baseball alone, can they?

First it was the DH, then interleague play. We were forced to endure the latter years ago, and it became more prevalent when MLB decided to move the Houston Astros from the NL to the AL, thus putting 15 teams in both leagues and assuring that, whenever there is a full schedule of games, there will always be at least one interleague game.

There have been various other changes, such as a limit on the number of mound visits and changing the way intentional walks work. All of this done in an effort, I believe, to try to make baseball more "exciting" to some people. Does baseball *really* need to be more exciting?! Now we have the changes coming detailed in OP. Oh, how I wish they stop tweaking baseball!

[MyOwnPeace]

9. OK, I'm more of a "traditionalist"

I don't have a problem with when they cut off the trade deadline - whatever.
I don't like the 3-batter minimum. Taking more out of the hands of the managers and strategy.
I don't like the DH. Again, taking away some strategy used in the game.
I have NO problem with making the batter stay in the batting box (really, can't they make a batting glove that does not need to be re-tightened after every swing - or stare?
I also don't have a problem with a time clock between pitches. Really, some of those pitchers look like they're trying to decide:
"Ferrari or Lamborghini!"
I don't mind the "automatic" walk. Why not?
I don't mind the infield/outfield shift. If the batter is a "real" major leaguer, "hit 'em where they ain't!"
All-Star game - loved it when they players weren't worried about injuries - times have changed for that - do away with it and I'm OK.
Do love the home run derby - used to play it in the back yard with the gang and whiffle balls!
NOT worried about shortening the game - what's the hurry?
But, hey, that's me - taking time to enjoy the little things!

[ProfessorGAC]

16. On Board Except...

...your last bit at the end.
Pace of play needs improvement.
I remember, as a kid, looking at the end of the box scores in the paper to see how long the game was.
It was odd to see much more than 2:30. Today, that's a game called due to rain in the 7th, or the 6th!

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Big thing that is missing,

allowing the Hitter to bail out of the Box and play his little mind game with the Pitcher. Your are paid millions to hit the friggin ball,just do it.

[Mosby]

13. the three batter minimum is to try and speed things up?

I support that. Same with the batter constantly moving in and out of the box. Just hit the damn ball.

[Auggie]

14. It's going to make for more late-inning runs

Last edited Fri Mar 15, 2019, 04:42 AM - Edit history (1)

1) Righty is brought in to face a righty. The next one or two right-handed batters are lifted for lefties. Advantage: plate.

2) Relief pitcher has a bad night -- loses control or his breaking pitches aren't moving well. Walk. Walk. Bam -- three run homer!

This is going to make bullpens even more important than they already are.

IT'S GOING TO FAVOR DEEP POCKET TEAMS LIKE THE RED SOX, YANKEES AND DODGERS WHO CAN AFFORD DEEPER BULLPENS.

A GODDAMN STUPID & UNNECESSARY RULE CHANGE

[El Supremo]

15. All I want is to eliminate...

BATTING GLOVES!

[MyOwnPeace]

17. I AGREE!!!

After all, they've NEVER invented one that doesn't need to be adjusted after EVERY SINGLE PITCH, even if the guy doesn't swing!

[Capt. America]

18. Bye bye LOOGY with three batter minimum. Tony LaRussa is crying.