Will MLB Elect to have the NL Adopt DH for 2017 Season?

[Bombers]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/the-national-league-is-getting-closer-to-adding-dhs--maybe-in-2017-194448854.html

 

This article says it has legs and is gaining favor. Players Union is all for it. I know where most on this board stands, but it sounds like it will be a reality.

[pacopete4]

Please yes and thank you. No longer will a guy no better than someone out of the stands be allowed to take away precious outs.

[MrTPlush]

Maybe we can stick Braun there and he won't have a revolving door of injuries....wishful thinking.

 

I prefer pitchers hitting, but I much insist on both leagues being the same. It seems the DH is the only realistic way so just get it over with.

[pacopete4]

I just don't get why anyone would want to keep pitchers hitting? Nothing adds up in the scenario. Pitchers average about a .300 OPS across the league. That's horrendous. It's an instant out. What purpose does that serve?

[MrTPlush]

I just don't get why anyone would want to keep pitchers hitting? Nothing adds up in the scenario. Pitchers average about a .300 OPS across the league. That's horrendous. It's an instant out. What purpose does that serve?

 

Because not all of us are about offense offense and more offense. Letting pitchers hits adds something to the game. Strategizing around the pitchers spot is interesting.

 

In the long run it is better for the game. No more rallies killed by the #9 guy etc. However there are aspects I will miss about pitchers hitting.

[pacopete4]

I just don't get why anyone would want to keep pitchers hitting? Nothing adds up in the scenario. Pitchers average about a .300 OPS across the league. That's horrendous. It's an instant out. What purpose does that serve?

 

Because not all of us are about offense offense and more offense. Letting pitchers hits adds something to the game. Strategizing around the pitchers spot is interesting.

 

In the long run it is better for the game. No more rallies killed by the #9 guy etc. However there are aspects I will miss about pitchers hitting.

 

It's not that I want to see some big slugger up there just someone other than what pitchers are. They are horrible. It is and always has been a lousy rule in baseball. Pitchers have always sucked at hitting.

[GAME05]

Many of us here are fortunate enough to have seen the Brewers in the AL and now the NL. So having followed a team in both leagues, I WAY prefer the pitchers hitting. There's a ton of strategy involved with it; who to pinch hit but lose that defensive replacement; taking out a doing-well starter when you're down a run; how to manage the bullpen.....not to mention games are long enough as they are and a DH is only going to extend them.

 

And all that second-guessing of a manager's strategy is half the fun of watching a game, beyond just hoping a pitcher gets a strike or a batter gets a hit.

[bork]

It will certainly impact how the NL rosters are constructed, so you would hope there is enough time between its approval and when it's implemented. I imagine it also impacts how you draft a bit.

 

I prefer the NL style of play, but it's hard for pitchers to become good hitters when the minor leagues give them so few opportunities to hit in game situations (not until AA and even then, not every game).

[reillymcshane]

The merits of the DH aside, I think it happens. Probably take 2-3 years to be instituted.

 

In the past, I've kind of liked the pitcher hitting, but I'm warming to the idea of the DH. I debate whether having the DH will help bigger market teams - or if it really doesn't matter. My initial thought is that you have to pay another 'starter' - meaning your payroll gets stretched. Perhaps that is right - but I don't really know.

 

In the end, I'm probably okay with whatever.

[Bombers]

The merits of the DH aside, I think it happens. Probably take 2-3 years to be instituted.

 

In the past, I've kind of liked the pitcher hitting, but I'm warming to the idea of the DH. I debate whether having the DH will help bigger market teams - or if it really doesn't matter. My initial thought is that you have to pay another 'starter' - meaning your payroll gets stretched. Perhaps that is right - but I don't really know.

 

In the end, I'm probably okay with whatever.

This is whT I have always thought too (payroll being stretched) but in the end it might end up ok

[MKE81]

It's annoying watching pitchers attempt to it. It's an automatic inning+ worth of outs before the game even starts. And it's not really strategy involving that spot, more common sense the majority of the game. If a starter averages 6ip he's either bunting with guys on base or looking foolish swinging when bases are empty or with 2 outs. Then after the 6ip it's an auto pinch hitter that's usually an easy decision. Maybe once per game is there a strategic move (double switch, etc). Whereas with a DH it's a guaranteed strategic move with the lineup before the game even begins - bat worst hitter last or have a leadoff type bat 9 and be the leadoff for the top of the order. I also like that guys can take a game or two off from playing the field but still contribute offensively - can use the DH as a revolving door instead of simply having one guy hitting every game who can't field to save his life. I prefer both leagues be the same and that's means having a DH

[JohnBriggs12]

Arguments aside and there are cases to be made both ways, there needs to be uniformity.

[pogokat]

Since youth baseball---including high school---have dh's at nearly all times, it's hard to justify not having dh's all the way up.

 

along the same lines, the lack of DH seems to be part of the parity problem between the nl and al.

 

personally, i like the strategy involved with pitchers batting, but I don't think i'd care that much overall if they added a dh.

[ewitkows]

No more double switches

[patrickgpe]

I think its cool that there is a difference between leagues. Its the only sport that has a subtle difference. Count me on the side that hopes that the DH stays in the AL.

[RobDeer 45]

I too really like the strategy involved with pitchers batting but I guess I have to say that it's better for the game if they don't. Having both league's the same is important. I also think it's better for pitchers in general, because they won't be forced out earlier in a game when they are pitching well. The DH just seems lazy and easy....set it and forget it, but I guess overall it is probably better.

[Patrick425]

Since youth baseball---including high school---have dh's at nearly all times, it's hard to justify not having dh's all the way up.

 

High school baseball also allows metal bats, courtesy runners, and re-entry of starters that were taken out of the game (at least in WI High School baseball). That doesn't mean those rules should be carried up to college and professional baseball. The DH is allowed in HS baseball mainly to allow more kids to play.

 

I'm a fan of the pitcher batting for the same reasons stated by others in this thread and would be sad to see it disappear. I'm in the crowd that prefers to see a well pitched low scoring game with nice defensive plays over a slugfest. I don't agree with those who want to pretend that there is no additional strategy involved in having the pitcher bat. Just look at the in-game threads and other rants about Brewer managers on this board and you will see a lot of discussion and hand wringing about why a pitcher was or was not allowed to bat in a certain situation. Every day during the season there are situations in the NL when a pitcher is due up the next inning and is allowed to try to get out of a jam where in the AL the pitcher in a similar situation would get pulled. I think extra decision making revolving around the pitcher batting makes the game more interesting adds to the post-game "what if" discussions between fans.

[paul253]

If you held a gun to my head and made me pick I'd say have pitchers hit. I get annoyed by career DH's who make $15 million a year doing nothing but hitting four times a game and it adds a ton of strategy. But most importantly I want it to be the same in both leagues. I think the AL has a huge advantage by having a DH. Think about all the moves we've had to make bc we don't have a DH. All the trades to make room for a prospect. The position shuffling in the minors because guys have to be competent somewhere. The guys you don't pursue in free agency because his position is already covered. Having a spot for someone to hit but not field is a huge advantage in terms of roster building and it needs to be fixed.

[MadScientist]

DH isn't used heavily in HS ball (at least at the lower levels) since the pitches are often the best all-around players and they don't want to take those bats out of the lineup.

 

If the NL does get the DH, should they really be the NL and AL anymore, or just the National Conference and American Conference?

 

As a side note, the Brewers should hold on to Khris Davis until the vote comes through. If the NL does get the DH, his value goes up quite a bit.

[jerichoholicninja]

DH isn't used heavily in HS ball (at least at the lower levels) since the pitches are often the best all-around players and they don't want to take those bats out of the lineup.

 

This is really irrelevant to the conversation but I see the DH and high school mentioned all the time. In high school you can DH for whoever you want. And many times it isn't the pitcher. Same in College, D3 at least.

[pacopete4]

DH isn't used heavily in HS ball (at least at the lower levels) since the pitches are often the best all-around players and they don't want to take those bats out of the lineup.

 

As a side note, the Brewers should hold on to Khris Davis until the vote comes through. If the NL does get the DH, his value goes up quite a bit.

 

 

1. DH is used in most high school games I've ever played in or coached. Might not always be for the pitcher but I have played with and coached many "just pitchers" even in high school.

 

2. Braun and Davis should be held onto until the vote, I agree. If the NL gets a DH those two are perfect for that role and filling in when needed in the OF.

[djoctagone]

As a side note, the Brewers should hold on to Khris Davis until the vote comes through. If the NL does get the DH, his value goes up quite a bit.

davis has two minor league options remaining. domingo santana has one minor league option remaining. if davis is kept optioned for most of the 2016 season, any major league club (including the brewers) would have an extra year of control of the player. that's an increase in value for any club.

 

is it fair to davis to bury him in the minor leagues? probably not, but it may be in the brewers' best interests to do so.

[JohnBriggs12]

As a side note, the Brewers should hold on to Khris Davis until the vote comes through. If the NL does get the DH, his value goes up quite a bit.

davis has two minor league options remaining. domingo santana has one minor league option remaining. if davis is kept optioned for most of the 2016 season, any major league club (including the brewers) would have an extra year of control of the player. that's an increase in value for any club.

 

is it fair to davis to bury him in the minor leagues? probably not, but it may be in the brewers' best interests to do so.

 

That would bring on an almost certain grievance from the union and not only that, it would sour the team's image or what's left of it among players who might consider an offer down the road. It's one thing for a team like the Cubs to hold back Bryant for two weeks, it's quite another for a team to send down their leading HR hitter the previous season for more "seasoning" at age 28.

[MrTPlush]

As a side note, the Brewers should hold on to Khris Davis until the vote comes through. If the NL does get the DH, his value goes up quite a bit.

davis has two minor league options remaining. domingo santana has one minor league option remaining. if davis is kept optioned for most of the 2016 season, any major league club (including the brewers) would have an extra year of control of the player. that's an increase in value for any club.

 

is it fair to davis to bury him in the minor leagues? probably not, but it may be in the brewers' best interests to do so.

 

That would most certainly not be allowed. Khris Davis would win a grievance, probably cost us lots of money, and we would look absolutely horrible. If you floated this idea in the Brewers front office you would be launched off Bernies Terrace.

[MadScientist]

They got enough grief doing something like that with JJ Hardy (only sent down for a month or so) and he was not preforming well at the time. Davis was one of the top HR hitters in the NL last year. The only way he spends time in the minors this year is if he needs rehab, or in the unlikely event he gets off to a catastrophically bad start.