In the last few seasons, Major League Baseball has introduced rule changes that have impacted the way players and teams approach in-game strategy.
Making base sizes larger led to an increased number of stolen bases while bans on defensive shifts amounted to a boost in offense and run scoring opportunities. The introduction of the three-batter minimum for pitchers drastically changed the strategy in how relievers are deployed.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred hinted at a “golden bat-bat” rule at the owners meetings which would allow teams a once-a-game opportunity to pinch-hit with anyone in their lineup, regardless of the batting order.
In an appearance on “The Chris Rose Rotation,” Tyler Glasnow discussed the proposal, seeing both sides of the coin with how it would impact MLB:
“My initial response is that sounds intriguing. But then the other side of me is like, the game of baseball is so reliant on tradition. Obviously, there’s been some rule changes and everything, but you worry that maybe you don’t want to make too many changes too quick. But the other part of me is like, that’s pretty fun. That seems kind of amazing. That would be a really, really interesting proposal. I just don’t know how you iron all that out. … From a business perspective, it’s obviously a no-doubter. From a fan perspective, from the ones that aren’t annoyed by the game changing, I think that’s probably a win. That’s pretty intriguing. I kind of like it.”
The rule poses some precarious scenarios and many players would likely be against it. But Glasnow does concede that from a fan perspective, the drama of those could make for some interesting viewing:
“It would depend on the game. Sometimes the best you feel is in the seventh inning and then there’s many times where the worst you feel is in the seventh inning. So it would depend on the specific kind of situation, but it’s definitely on a statistical level, probably not going to be a good thing for pitchers. But I think for the enjoyment and fandom, it would be really cool.”
Because of the initial blowback surrounding the leaked proposal, Manfred publicly stated the rule was far away from being a real thing in MLB. He instead highlighted the idea was a very premature thought without any concrete plans in conversations among league officials in how they can improve.
One overwhelming downside of the potential change is how it would negatively affect the sanctity of statistics, which MLB has rooted in its core.
Tyler Glasnow eager to return to Dodgers rotation
In that same interview, Glasnow made it clear that because of his late-season injury, he missed the competitiveness of the postseason.
The main goal for himself and the Dodgers is to repeat as champions, something that hasn’t been done in quite some time. The focus for him will be on the status of his elbow and how he can avoid further injury.
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