DH Compromise

[calsnowskier]

We have not discussed the DH in quite a while. And for good reason. Basically, NL fans are staunch DH haters and AL fans are staunch DH defenders. Whichever camp you belong in, you will not be swayed by any debate. Further, this debate usually spirals into an insult-fest with each side saying the other is not a real fan or a grandpa or an idiot or ...

So let's look at this from a different angle.

Is there any compromise that could get both camps to (grudgingly) concede to a single rule?

I came up with this idea a few years ago, and while it likely needs tweaking, I think it has promise. I have mentioned this here in the past as well, but it has typically gotten buried in the typical AL v NL mud-slinging.

Link the DH to the pitcher, much like you link a PH to a slot in the lineup. If you take your pitcher out of the game, you lose the player who was DHing for him. When the DH slot in the lineup comes up again, you need to declare a new DH. If you PH for your DH, you must take your pitcher out of the game as well. Like it is currently with substitutions, the new DH does not need to be be declared until that spot comes up to bat, and vice versa. This way, if a team blows through 3 pitchers in one half-inning, they are not decimating their bench as well. The DH can be used for any position, not only pitcher. Same rules apply, though.

This appeases AL fans because it removes the pitcher's bat from the lineup. It appeases NL fans because it keeps the strategy of roster management at the forefront.

I think that the rosters would HAVE to be expanded by at least one spot, maybe 2, so you know the union would be on board.

 

[dredinis21]

We have not discussed the DH in quite a while. And for good reason. Basically, NL fans are staunch DH haters and AL fans are staunch DH defenders. Whichever camp you belong in, you will not be swayed by any debate. Further, this debate usually spirals into an insult-fest with each side saying the other is not a real fan or a grandpa or an idiot or ...

So let's look at this from a different angle.

Is there any compromise that could get both camps to (grudgingly) concede to a single rule?

I came up with this idea a few years ago, and while it likely needs tweaking, I think it has promise. I have mentioned this here in the past as well, but it has typically gotten buried in the typical AL v NL mud-slinging.

Link the DH to the pitcher, much like you link a PH to a slot in the lineup. If you take your pitcher out of the game, you lose the player who was DHing for him. When the DH slot in the lineup comes up again, you need to declare a new DH. If you PH for your DH, you must take your pitcher out of the game as well. Like it is currently with substitutions, the new DH does not need to be be declared until that spot comes up to bat, and vice versa. This way, if a team blows through 3 pitchers in one half-inning, they are not decimating their bench as well. The DH can be used for any position, not only pitcher. Same rules apply, though.

This appeases AL fans because it removes the pitcher's bat from the lineup. It appeases NL fans because it keeps the strategy of roster management at the forefront.

I think that the rosters would HAVE to be expanded by at least one spot, maybe 2, so you know the union would be on board.

I kinda like watching MadBum hit 400 ft bombs with a smirk on his face. Can your pitcher be your DH as well in this scenario?

 

[calsnowskier]

I kinda like watching MadBum hit 400 ft bombs with a smirk on his face. Can your pitcher be your DH as well in this scenario?

The Giants could use the DH on a different position. That is built in. Declaring your pitcher AS the DH would probably be allowed, but would likely not ever be used.

As it is, when Bum pitches in AL parks, the Giants still DH for him. They are not REQUIRED to.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

I have a DH rule that maybe you would like... Put a minimum amount of games a DH has to play in the field...

lets say the minimum is 20 games in the current season OR 40 games from the previous season...

 

[MilkSpiller22]

And how about putting this rule up... a Pitcher MUST bat for himself if he owns an OBP of .300 or higher...

 

[calsnowskier]

And how about putting this rule up... a Pitcher MUST bat for himself if he owns an OBP of .300 or higher...

How would this rule apply to a rookie? Wouldnt this encourage pitchers to tank? How many PA's to qualify? Would this apply to relievers as well?

 

[calsnowskier]

I have a DH rule that maybe you would like... Put a minimum amount of games a DH has to play in the field...

lets say the minimum is 20 games in the current season OR 40 games from the previous season...

So a rookie could not DH until his 21s game in the majors at the earliest?

What is Ortiz suffers a season ending injury? He cannot DH until the 21st game, assuming he is put in at 1B in garbage time in every game leading up?

This seems like it would cause more bastardization than it would solve.

 

[DragonfromTO]

I have a DH rule that maybe you would like... Put a minimum amount of games a DH has to play in the field...

lets say the minimum is 20 games in the current season OR 40 games from the previous season...

I'm not sure I understand how this would work. If you bring up a player from the minors, are you simply not allowed to play him at DH until after he's appeared in the field in 20 games?

 

[DragonfromTO]

And how about putting this rule up... a Pitcher MUST bat for himself if he owns an OBP of .300 or higher...

So not having a pitcher who can't hit worth a shit becomes a major disadvantage for a team rather than a small advantage? That doesn't seem right.

 

[molsaniceman]

u need to lower the OBP of the pitchers with at least 10 ABs only 3 had an OBP over 300 lower it to 250 and 14 can bat
lets face it pitchers cant hit

I say leave it alone having the leagues different makes it interesting

 

[obxyankeefan]

Some quick stats for you Cali,

IP/GS

2015 AL was 5.8
2015 NL was 5.8
2014 AL was 5.9
2104 NL was 6.0
2013 AL was 5.9
2013 NL was 5.9
2012 AL was 5.9
2012 NL was 5.9
2011 AL was 6.1
2011 NL was 6.0

The difference between the two leagues does not seem to make a difference in length the starters go. Even though I would like to see both leagues play by the same rules, I don't think either side is going to give enough for that to happen.

 

[calsnowskier]

Some quick stats for you Cali,

IP/GS

2015 AL was 5.8
2015 NL was 5.8
2014 AL was 5.9
2104 NL was 6.0
2013 AL was 5.9
2013 NL was 5.9
2012 AL was 5.9
2012 NL was 5.9
2011 AL was 6.1
2011 NL was 6.0

The difference between the two leagues does not seem to make a difference in length the starters go. Even though I would like to see both leagues play by the same rules, I don't think either side is going to give enough for that to happen.

Interesting. Very understandable, though. In the NL, the pitcher gets pulled for a PHer. In the NL, the pitcher faces an extra 2 - 2.5 "batters" per game.

Makes sense that the pitchers would last approx the same. But in the NL, bench depth plays a bigger role because they need to burn a PHer on the pitcher or a fielder in the double switch.

 

[powerchord86]

I actually enjoy both.

 

[msgkings322]

I actually enjoy both.

Exactly, what's the harm? Adds interest to the sport. It's just a game. I prefer the NL version but I like having both versions extant. More to think about, plus it gives aging sluggers a chance to extend their careers, etc.

 

[The Q]

Best compromise:

NL does whatever the hell it wants up until this point, but the WS is 7 games with a DH.

 

[msgkings322]

Another thing I thought of...let's say hypothetically they make one rule standard (either DH for all or no DH for all), do you still give out NL and AL awards for MVP, Cy, etc? If so, why?

 

[obxyankeefan]

Another thing I thought of...let's say hypothetically they make one rule standard (either DH for all or no DH for all), do you still give out NL and AL awards for MVP, Cy, etc? If so, why?

Yes, because the leagues are still have very little interaction. While we are discussion changing the rules I vote we do away with Interleague games.

 

[The Q]

Exactly, what's the harm? Adds interest to the sport. It's just a game. I prefer the NL version but I like having both versions extant. More to think about, plus it gives aging sluggers a chance to extend their careers, etc.

I don't care about it until the WS.

Then it's just ridiculous. It's like the NHL having 3 of it's Stanley cup final be 4 on 4 and other 4 being 5 on 5 or vice versa. It's just a little silly.

 

[tducey]

Should be consistency among both leagues, either a DH in both or pitcher batting in both, no in between.

 

[The Q]

Should be consistency among both leagues, either a DH in both or pitcher batting in both, no in between.

I agree. Just freaking pick one.

The leagues haven't been separate offices since like 2000 (they are all under the umbrella of MLB). There should be uniformity.