The DH is coming to the NL (pure speculation)

[TooLiveBrew]

It's just as much of a disadvantage for AL teams playing in NL parks as it is for NL teams playing in AL parks.

 

Some AL fans I know often refute this by pointing at how the DH makes teams have to build deeper overall bullpens, and that the AL teams have the luxury of having a guy good enough to be a full-time AL DH as their first PH off the bench.

 

Meanwhile, the NL teams don't get any real advantage when they have to use the DH (since most NL teams' "DHs" would be so outgunned by an AL DH)... and when they're in a NL park, they don't have an advantage either, because their pitcher still has to hit.

[PrinceEatMeat]

It's just as much of a disadvantage for AL teams playing in NL parks as it is for NL teams playing in AL parks.

 

Some AL fans I know often refute this by pointing at how the DH makes teams have to build deeper overall bullpens, and that the AL teams have the luxury of having a guy good enough to be a full-time AL DH as their first PH off the bench.

 

Meanwhile, the NL teams don't get any real advantage when they have to use the DH (since most NL teams' "DHs" would be so outgunned by an AL DH)... and when they're in a NL park, they don't have an advantage either, because their pitcher still has to hit.

 

I can see that point I guess, but the way I see the AL teams are usually losing a middle of the order bat out of their lineup when they lose the DH. They are then forced to either go without that player, or play them in the field which weakens their defense. I see that as an advantage for the NL team all around.

[Baldkin]

I can see that point I guess, but the way I see the AL teams are usually losing a middle of the order bat out of their lineup when they lose the DH. They are then forced to either go without that player, or play them in the field which weakens their defense. I see that as an advantage for the NL team all around.

 

Playing your normal lineup or playing a better overall player than one of your normal starters isn't a disadvantage.

[monty57]

The Pujols and Fielder signings highlight another advantage for the AL teams due in large part to the DH. While both contracts may prove bad, it's far easier for an AL team to sign a superstar to a long-term deal, because even if they start to break down, they can still play DH. There is no way an NL team, no matter how big a market, would sign both Cabrera and Fielder to long-term deals like the Tigers have. Not trying to justify the Pujols or Fielder deals, just pointing out another advantage AL teams currently have over NL teams.

[Teatoe993]

I was surprised that nobody has asked for the Designated Catcher to be implemented after Posey's injury.

[monty57]

I was surprised that nobody has asked for the Designated Catcher to be implemented after Posey's injury.

 

Then Kendall could play 162 games a year until he's 65.

[RightFieldCoder]

What about Designated Outfielders to prevent Cameron, Hart, Beltran, or Rowland like injuries?

[PrinceEatMeat]

I can see that point I guess, but the way I see the AL teams are usually losing a middle of the order bat out of their lineup when they lose the DH. They are then forced to either go without that player, or play them in the field which weakens their defense. I see that as an advantage for the NL team all around.

 

Playing your normal lineup or playing a better overall player than one of your normal starters isn't a disadvantage.

 

So for example, having Jon Lester bat instead of David Ortiz isn't a disadvantage? Ok then. The NL teams won't lose a middle of the order hitter, even though they have their pitcher batting. Most AL teams will have a 3-5 in the order bat gone and every else moved up, and a pitcher who never hits inserted into the lineup. Don't see how that's not a disadvantage. Granted this doesn't apply to every single AL team, but it applies to a lot of them, especially the ones who have a true DH.

[monty57]

Just for reference, here's ESPN.com's projected DH's:

 

Team: Name, age, salary (2011 line for avg/OBP/SLG/OPS):

 

Baltimore: Wilson Betemit, 30, $1MM (.285/.343/.452/.795)

Boston: David Ortiz, 36, $12.5MM (.309/.398/.554/.953)

White Sox: Adam Dunn, 32, $12MM (.159/.292/.277/.569)

Cleveland: Travis Hafner, 34, $13MM (.280/.361/.449/.811)

Detroit: Delmon Young, 26, $5.375MM (.268/.302/.393/.695)

Kansas City: Billy Butler, 25, $3.5MM (.291/.361/.461/.822)

LA Angels: Bobby Abreau, 37, $9MM (.253/.353/.365/.717)

Minnesota: Ryan Doumit, 30, $5.2MM (.303/.353/.477/.830)

NY Yankees: Andruw Jones, 34, $1.5MM (.247/.356/.495/.851)

Oakland: Jonny Gomes, 31, $1.75MM (.209/.325/.389/.714)

Seattle: Jesus Montero, 22, league min (.328/.406/.590/.996)

Tampa Bay: Luke Scott, 33, $6.4MM (.220/.301/.402/.703)

Texas: Mike Napoli, 30, $5.8MM (.320/.414/.631/1.046)

Toronto: Edwin Encarnacion, 29, $2.5MM (.272/.334/.453/.787)

 

Avg age: 30.64

Avg Salary: $5.716MM

[Warning Track Power]

Deciding factor for me on this issue:

 

When you learned to play this game did you ever dream about being the DH? Nobody did. Sure as a kid learning to play you always wanted to hit more than field but you still loved the game the same whether you were hitting or fielding. To me, fielding is as important as hitting and if you can only hit then you have neglected half of the game of baseball and should be relegated to being a PH or a liability in the field. Likewise, if you can only field (Carlos Gomez) and can't hit then you've done the same thing and should be liability at the plate.

 

At the MLB level, I think players should be expected to be able to both hit and field therefore the DH should be eliminated in my humble opinion.

[Invader3K]

Yeah, but the DH now gets used in basically every level of baseball past college. That's just how it is nowadays. I don't think you can hold big league players to a standard based on what kids think in little league.

[monty57]

I'm really not on either side of this issue. I liked watching the Brewers when they had a DH in the AL, I like watching the Brewers with no DH in the NL, and I like watching the Brewers when they play with a DH in interleague play.

 

The record of the AL vs the NL in interleague play really seems to be getting lopsided enough (and have a large enough sample size) to show that they have a decided advantage over the NL, so it does make sense to go either all DH or no DH, and that is compounded now that interleague will be spread out over the full season, so NL teams will have a harder time calling up a batter from AAA for a couple of weeks to cover the interleague schedule. If I had to guess, it looks to me like MLB is moving towards more interleague and a DH on every team, but that's just a guess.

 

As to how this will affect the Brewers, at least in the short term, they'll have a place to put Ramirez while Green moves into 3B in 2013 & 2014. Ramirez would probably be one of the better DH's in the league, so it would probably have a positive short-term effect if it were installed right away (which it won't be). Long term is anyone's call, as it's really more on the GM doing a good job of filling the roster. Melvin seems to be good at finding players who can hit and not field, so I'd think we'd be okay.

[Warning Track Power]

Yeah, but the DH now gets used in basically every level of baseball past college. That's just how it is nowadays. I don't think you can hold big league players to a standard based on what kids think in little league.

 

My point was that the game of baseball is not strictly about offense. However, the business of baseball is 100% about offense. The standard of Little League baseball is relevant because that is where the bottom line business end of baseball is not considered.

[CheezWizHed]

[sarcasm]Just make it like football. One team of offense, one team for defense.[/sarcasm]

 

I can see the logic in having the DH, but I still tend to be a purist about it. Offense is what (most) people want to see at the ballpark and not strategy, so I would imagine that the DH will come to the NL at some point.

[1992casey]

At the MLB level, I think players should be expected to be able to both hit and field therefore the DH should be eliminated in my humble opinion.

 

I'm fine with it at the MLB level, but I think it hurts at the amateur levels, at least before the college level.

 

At the high school level and below, I think you want kids to learn both hitting and fielding. In college and MLB, I think it's fine to accept reality and make decisions based on a player's skills.

 

You'll note that I've left the minor leagues out of this. I'm not sure what's best there. You want the pitchers to get some at bats, but the flexibility that the DH offers helps position players get reps at the plate.

[TooLiveBrew]

So for example, having Jon Lester bat instead of David Ortiz isn't a disadvantage? Ok then.

It is, but there's no corresponding advantage gained by the NL team. Big Papi instantly becomes the best PH either team has, & by a country mile. The NL's pitcher still has to hit, & they don't get to add an incredible hitter to their bench like the Red Sox do (in your example).

[CheezWizHed]

Big Papi instantly becomes the best PH either team has, & by a country mile.

 

That is true, but the Sox have to pay for that luxury also. The AL teams add another "starter" to their 25-man roster. Generally that means you will have to pay your DH more then your best PH and thus have less to spend on your players.

 

[sarcasm]I think we should force all the big market teams into the AL, then not allow the DH during the World Series...[/sarcasm]