DH Discussion Enters The Baseball Mainstream

Commissioner Rob Manfred and Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak have indicated recently that the notion of the National League adopting the DH is not as far-fetched as it might have seemed a year ago.

Manfred also said NL adopting DH is gaining momentum. Expect it to be addressed in upcoming CBA, so could be for ’17 season. #mlb

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) January 21, 2016

Mozeliak says there is “more momentum” in discussions with GMs and owners for the DH coming into the National League. #MLB #cardinals — Derrick Goold (@dgoold) January 16, 2016

Whether you view this kind of talk as posturing, an inevitable result of nearly two decades of interleague play or a disgrace to the game, one thing seems clear: the DH will be a topic of discussion during Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations following the 2016 season.

I argued last April that it would make sense for the NL to adopt the DH rule—and not to produce more offense or to avoid pitcher injuries, which are two commonly cited reasons—but now let’s consider the weightier opinions of actual big league managers. I asked Baseball America correspondents last spring to poll managers for their thoughts on the DH, and two responses stood out for their thoughtfulness. The following quotes were gathered in late-April 2015.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale

“A lot of people think there is a lot more strategy when you have the pitcher hitting. I’m one who doesn’t believe that as much. The game is easier to manage when the pitcher is hitting.

“In the American League, you have to be cognizant of not burning out your bullpen. In the National League, a lot of changes are based on when the pitcher comes up to hit. It’s not that hard.

“Pitchers are hardly hitting in high school and college any more. It might be time to make a change. Another thing: people are looking for more offense. Why not add another hitter to the lineup? I know so may people are traditionalists and don’t want to do anything to change the game. They think (the DH) would ruin the game in some way.”

Source: D-backs correspondent Jack Magruder

Athletics manager Bob Melvin

“I like the differences in the leagues. I don’t like going into National League parks and having to have our pitchers hit, but I think it makes for some differences, some nuances within the leagues.

“I like the differences, but I get a little nervous when my pitchers have to hit. When we go to a National League park, we try to give (our pitchers) a progression to get ready. But it still doesn’t mean that you’re not a little nervous about it. In the National League, I wasn’t as nervous about it because they were always prepared and always taking batting practice every day. I think there is something to having a difference in both leagues. I think it’s kind of cool, that kind of difference.

“We start (preparing our pitchers to hit) two weeks out. It’s a progression—it’s bunting for two days and trying to get ready to work those muscles, and not overdoing it.”

Source: Athletics correspondent Casey Tefertiller

You’ve made it this far. Why not cast a vote in the Baseball America DH poll?