Rule Changes for rosters in 2020

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I’m concerned that the limits of pitchers on a roster, and 28 in September is really going to put the Brewers at a huge disadvantage. The reason the Brewers made the playoffs in 2018 and 2019 was in large part to great Septembers which were great because of pitcher match ups that were made possible by expanded rosters.

 

I know our Commissioner also talked about banning shifts in the past which the Brewers rely on. I wonder if our commissioner doesn’t seem to care about the small to mid market teams because doing things like this is the only way that clubs can be competitive with the big markets as far as thinking outside the box.

 

Maybe our Commissioner wants his league to be top heavy in the future.

 

I know this may seem like a dumb rant but if the Brewers cannot compete financially they need to find other ways to do it and if you take those ways away I’m just frustrated I Apologize. This is why I read more than post lol.

 

I think people are over-inflating how the expanded rosters helped the Brewers in September. Most of those guys they brought up barely played. A few of the pitchers got some mop up innings, but for the most part they deployed the guys they always did, just in a bit of a different fashion.

[rickh150]

I’m concerned that the limits of pitchers on a roster, and 28 in September is really going to put the Brewers at a huge disadvantage. The reason the Brewers made the playoffs in 2018 and 2019 was in large part to great Septembers which were great because of pitcher match ups that were made possible by expanded rosters.

 

I know our Commissioner also talked about banning shifts in the past which the Brewers rely on. I wonder if our commissioner doesn’t seem to care about the small to mid market teams because doing things like this is the only way that clubs can be competitive with the big markets as far as thinking outside the box.

 

Maybe our Commissioner wants his league to be top heavy in the future.

 

I know this may seem like a dumb rant but if the Brewers cannot compete financially they need to find other ways to do it and if you take those ways away I’m just frustrated I Apologize. This is why I read more than post lol.

 

I think people are over-inflating how the expanded rosters helped the Brewers in September. Most of those guys they brought up barely played. A few of the pitchers got some mop up innings, but for the most part they deployed the guys they always did, just in a bit of a different fashion.

 

 

Those mop up innings allowed others to pitch in meaningful positions.... I'm thinking of Jackson, in particular

[AKCheesehead]

Personally I’ve always enjoyed expanded rosters. I liked seeing guys who had a nice season getting rewarded with a big league call up, and it’s fun to get that first look at how they handle the majors.

 

To me the games are even more entertaining seeing the manager get to pull out all the stops with matchups, defensive replacements, and pinch runners. I do realize that most fans probably feel differently.

[PlayerHader]

I don't understand why you'd put a restriction on the number of Ps on your active roster. If a team wants to go 9 position players and 16 (17 now) pitchers...so what?

[Tbadder]

I do believe that restricting strategy eventually will hurt competition, especially for smaller market team who often have to think outside the box. I also like the expanded rosters. I like to go to late season games especially to get a look at the young guys or the successful AAA guys. I think the commissioner’s main job should be tailoring the rules to increase competition not to ensure its commercialization. It my interpretation that the new rules will stymie competition.

[jerichoholicninja]

I don't understand why you'd put a restriction on the number of Ps on your active roster. If a team wants to go 9 position players and 16 (17 now) pitchers...so what?

 

Because pitching changes take time and that's bad. Less pitchers, less changes, more excitement!

[djoctagone]

what still hasn't been decided upon formally regarding roster construction?

 

maximum number of pitchers allowed on a roster?

 

has it been made official that the requisite stay for all players (pitchers and position players) on optional assignment must be at least 15 days instead of 10?

[JosephC]

Since pretty much all MLB teams have been going with the 13 pitchers/12 hitters breakdown under the old rules, I'm really hoping that the 13th hitter evolves into a "late inning pinch-running specialist" for most teams. That way, in all close games each teams can pinch-run that guy in the 8th/9th inning and then fans will be treated to the "10 tosses to first" during every at-bat with that fast guy on 1B. We all know how absolutely thrilling that will be.

 

Best part will be Manfred saying "unintended consequence" just like the average dumb politician. "We'll need a new rule to fix that."

[djoctagone]

Since pretty much all MLB teams have been going with the 13 pitchers/12 hitters breakdown under the old rules

they have? i honestly haven't paid that much attention to roster construction other than milwaukee's, so i'd welcome a source.

 

i find it hard to fathom that an american league team would carry only 12 hitters for the majority of the season.

[et bbal]

Since pretty much all MLB teams have been going with the 13 pitchers/12 hitters breakdown under the old rules

they have? i honestly haven't paid that much attention to roster construction other than milwaukee's, so i'd welcome a source.

 

i find it hard to fathom that an american league team would carry only 12 hitters for the majority of the season.

 

Why would they carry more? They never need to pinch hit for the pitcher. Two guys on the bench in case of injuries seems like enough. Exception being a team that does a lot of platooning.

[MadScientist]

Since pretty much all MLB teams have been going with the 13 pitchers/12 hitters breakdown under the old rules

they have? i honestly haven't paid that much attention to roster construction other than milwaukee's, so i'd welcome a source.

 

i find it hard to fathom that an american league team would carry only 12 hitters for the majority of the season.

With the DH, there isn't a huge need for extra position players unless they have a huge L-R split. Extra hitters helps in the NL to pinch hit for pitchers, but extra pitchers is useful in both leagues.

[monty57]

It’s really disappointing how rigid and “rule” based baseball is becoming these days... Manfred sucks and is ruining the game.

 

That's pretty much the world we live in, regardless of the industry. Many people seem to think that any perceived problem is best solved by an official making more rules and regulations, rather than just letting things sort themselves out. Generally, the rules and regulations don't solve the perceived problem, and just create more problems through the "unintended consequences" Joseph mentioned.

 

I agree with the final sentiment. Baseball is offense vs defense. Manfred wants to give more and more benefit to offense to make the game "exciting," but I think many fans enjoy a well-pitched game as much as they enjoy a slug-fest. If every game becomes a slug-fest, fans will stop tuning in. I think this is akin to the NFL changing it's rules a few years back, making it more difficult to defend against the passing game. NFL ratings steadily declined. This year they noticeably started calling more offensive interference and less defensive penalties, and it seems (we'll see how if final ratings prove this true) that the NFL is re-gaining its popularity.

 

People like the game, not one aspect of the game. I hope Manfred realizes this before he goes too far.

[monty57]

I don't understand why you'd put a restriction on the number of Ps on your active roster. If a team wants to go 9 position players and 16 (17 now) pitchers...so what?

 

If I read it right, the restrictions are on hitters pitching, not on pitchers hitting or playing the field. Because they put in one rule, they probably figured they had to add the other so that teams didn't just list everyone as a pitcher so they could come in and pitch if they wanted. Don't worry, whatever problems this causes will just be solved by adding another rule or two next offseason.

 

I guess I don't see a problem with the very rare occurrence of a position player pitching an inning. I think fans actually enjoy this when it does occur. Therefore, the best course of action would have seemed to have been to simply leave it alone, but that doesn't appear to be Manfred's way.

[RollieTime]

I guess I don't see a problem with the very rare occurrence of a position player pitching an inning. I think fans actually enjoy this when it does occur. Therefore, the best course of action would have seemed to have been to simply leave it alone, but that doesn't appear to be Manfred's way.

 

I completely agree with this. It’s sucks watching a game and being down 8-1 after the 8th inning, but it definitely does bring a little bit of fun/humor to the last inning watching a guy come in that never pitches. There is nothing that is degrading to the spirit of the game at all by having a backup infielder or catcher throwing a few pitches. The offense gets excited to face him, the defense is probably the most engaged they have been all game and get some enjoyment seeing their teammate out on the mound, and the fans get a kick out of it from both organizations.

 

Seems like a win all the way around.

[brewmann04]

To much changing of America Pastime.

[MadScientist]

I guess I don't see a problem with the very rare occurrence of a position player pitching an inning. I think fans actually enjoy this when it does occur. Therefore, the best course of action would have seemed to have been to simply leave it alone, but that doesn't appear to be Manfred's way.

 

I completely agree with this. It’s sucks watching a game and being down 8-1 after the 8th inning, but it definitely does bring a little bit of fun/humor to the last inning watching a guy come in that never pitches. There is nothing that is degrading to the spirit of the game at all by having a backup infielder or catcher throwing a few pitches. The offense gets excited to face him, the defense is probably the most engaged they have been all game and get some enjoyment seeing their teammate out on the mound, and the fans get a kick out of it from both organizations.

 

Seems like a win all the way around.

 

It doesn't sound like that is being changed. Just that position players can't come in when the game isn't out of hand. Down 8-1 in the 9th, it adds entertainment, down 6-1 in the 8, just means surrender and stop watching.

 

The use of position players pitching used to be a novelty (less than 10 games in 2010 and 2011), last year it was 90.

 

Honestly, these rule changes are not huge and not going to radically change the game or the balance between pitchers and batters. They just dial back some of the gaming of the rules on the edges. In two years we'll wonder what took them so long to put them in. In 5 years we won't even think about them, it will just be the way the game is played.

[RollieTime]

I guess I don't see a problem with the very rare occurrence of a position player pitching an inning. I think fans actually enjoy this when it does occur. Therefore, the best course of action would have seemed to have been to simply leave it alone, but that doesn't appear to be Manfred's way.

 

I completely agree with this. It’s sucks watching a game and being down 8-1 after the 8th inning, but it definitely does bring a little bit of fun/humor to the last inning watching a guy come in that never pitches. There is nothing that is degrading to the spirit of the game at all by having a backup infielder or catcher throwing a few pitches. The offense gets excited to face him, the defense is probably the most engaged they have been all game and get some enjoyment seeing their teammate out on the mound, and the fans get a kick out of it from both organizations.

 

Seems like a win all the way around.

 

It doesn't sound like that is being changed. Just that position players can't come in when the game isn't out of hand. Down 8-1 in the 9th, it adds entertainment, down 6-1 in the 8, just means surrender and stop watching.

 

The use of position players pitching used to be a novelty (less than 10 games in 2010 and 2011), last year it was 90.

 

Honestly, these rule changes are not huge and not going to radically change the game or the balance between pitchers and batters. They just dial back some of the gaming of the rules on the edges. In two years we'll wonder what took them so long to put them in. In 5 years we won't even think about them, it will just be the way the game is played.

 

Isn’t it though that only players delegated as “pitchers” can pitch? Or will someone like Sogard be able to pitch this year?

[JosephC]

https://theathletic.com/1555626/2020/01/23/the-new-3-batter-minimum-rule-wont-speed-up-games-but-will-have-negative-unintended-consequences/

 

Unintended Consequences! Gotta love it!

[djoctagone]

what still hasn't been decided upon formally regarding roster construction?

 

maximum number of pitchers allowed on a roster?

 

has it been made official that the requisite stay for all players (pitchers and position players) on optional assignment must be at least 15 days instead of 10?

mlb has ruled officially: 13 pitchers maximum on the 26-man roster.

 

in other words, pretty much what the brewers have done for the majority of the past two seasons.

[djoctagone]

mlb announces rule changes for 2020:

 

--pitchers requisite stay for being optioned increases from 10 days to 15 days. position players can be recalled after 10 days.

 

--pitchers and two-way players must remain on the injured list for a minimum of 15 days--an increase from 10 days.

[KeithStone53151]

One thing I noticed, let's say there's a minor league player that's a legit 2 way player all the way through the minors. Said player doesn't fit the criteria as a 2 way player. Since position players aren't allowed to pitch, how does one ever become a 2 way player according to the new rules?

[pyrocyz]

One thing I noticed, let's say there's a minor league player that's a legit 2 way player all the way through the minors. Said player doesn't fit the criteria as a 2 way player. Since position players aren't allowed to pitch, how does one ever become a 2 way player according to the new rules?

 

 

You have to be designated as a pitcher for a certain number of games right? its all about the designation. when you are designated as a pitcher you won't be able to go play the field and vice versa. After the player has the right number of games at both positions they can be designated a 2-way player.

[KeithStone53151]

One thing I noticed, let's say there's a minor league player that's a legit 2 way player all the way through the minors. Said player doesn't fit the criteria as a 2 way player. Since position players aren't allowed to pitch, how does one ever become a 2 way player according to the new rules?

 

 

You have to be designated as a pitcher for a certain number of games right? its all about the designation. when you are designated as a pitcher you won't be able to go play the field and vice versa. After the player has the right number of games at both positions they can be designated a 2-way player.

 

Ahh, no rule against playing a pitcher in the field. So that player would have to count as a pitcher until he hits 20 innings and 20 starts with min 3 PA.

[RollieTime]

One thing I noticed, let's say there's a minor league player that's a legit 2 way player all the way through the minors. Said player doesn't fit the criteria as a 2 way player. Since position players aren't allowed to pitch, how does one ever become a 2 way player according to the new rules?

 

 

You have to be designated as a pitcher for a certain number of games right? its all about the designation. when you are designated as a pitcher you won't be able to go play the field and vice versa. After the player has the right number of games at both positions they can be designated a 2-way player.

 

Ahh, no rule against playing a pitcher in the field. So that player would have to count as a pitcher until he hits 20 innings and 20 starts with min 3 PA.

 

Yeah jeez. Come on, this is the way baseball is meant to be played. With rules on top of rules to govern rules so much that nobody even knows what is what anymore.

 

So when a team is down 7-1 in the 9th and has mustered something like 1 or 2 hits all day, they are forced to waste a pitcher even though the game is essentially over. I hate all these rule changes. There is so much going on it’s hard to even keep track of everything like how many appearances 2 way players have for the year, mound visits, 3 batter minimum, different IL stays depending on if you’re a pitcher or position player, what can or can’t be challenged, roster pitcher limits, when position players can pitch, etc.

 

Can’t wait until the pitch clock is added next as well as pick off limits, time limits per inning, and foul ball limits where after 3 foul balls, you’re out. This is the game we all fell in love with.

[brewcrewdue80]

 

Yeah jeez. Come on, this is the way baseball is meant to be played. With rules on top of rules to govern rules so much that nobody even knows what is what anymore.

 

So when a team is down 7-1 in the 9th and has mustered something like 1 or 2 hits all day, they are forced to waste a pitcher even though the game is essentially over. I hate all these rule changes. There is so much going on it’s hard to even keep track of everything like how many appearances 2 way players have for the year, mound visits, 3 batter minimum, different IL stays depending on if you’re a pitcher or position player, what can or can’t be challenged, roster pitcher limits, when position players can pitch, etc.

 

Can’t wait until the pitch clock is added next as well as pick off limits, time limits per inning, and foul ball limits where after 3 foul balls, you’re out. This is the game we all fell in love with.

 

I think the rule would allow a position player to pitch in that instance. 6runs or more from 9th inning or extra innings I read no? It's the 7th/8th inning roles they are removing.

 

I do find the multi-way player confusing. Let's say Ohtani DH's the first month of the season as his pitching arm wasn't ready to begin the season. The Angels would have to list him as a Pitcher during that time? It seemed that way. They had to start off as a pitcher and not a position player? I think MLB could have done better and just had a team fill out this player would be multi-way on the season and that player had to hit the mark to carry the title next season. Say if the player didn't meet the designation, the Team is penalized a 1st round draft pick. The player as stated loses the chance next season as a title multi-way and would be left being a pitcher or position player only the next season.