Major League Baseball is exploring the possibility of making the designated hitter a staple of the National League as soon as 2017, according to Newsday's David Lennon.
Continue for updates.
MLB Will Explore DH During CBA Negotiations
Thursday, Jan. 21
Commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly said the idea is "gaining momentum," per Lennon.
Although the potential change could ruffle the feathers of baseball purists, Lennon cited several reasons MLB is seeking to implement the DH in the NL:
Manfred previously joked that instituting a leaguewide DH slot "would deprive us of the entertainment Bartolo Colon has given us this year," per Sports on Earth's Anthony Castrovince, but evidence suggests stripping pitchers of the right to bat could benefit the game.
According to Castrovince, pitchers cumulatively posted a slash line of .132/.160/.170 during the 2015 season and "struck out once every 2.65 plate appearances—the worst such rate in history."
A counterargument can be made centering around core strategic tenets evaporating from the game. Castrovince noted making double switches is already more difficult in the American League since managers have to swap out effective hitters for other effective hitters.
Debate will undoubtedly rage regarding potential tactical shifts and how they'll affect the future of the sport, but the potential for an injection of offense is certainly enticing—particularly if it preserves pitchers' longevity.
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