Has the DH seen its Final Days?

Just recently, talks have circulated throughout the major league baseball community that the designated hitter rule could be on its way out.

Ever since the introduction of the DH Rule back in 1976 by the American League, the primary objective of the rule was to create greater run scoring and also increase attendance.  Now, 37 years later, Commissioner Bud Selig has created a newly formed “competition committee” which consists of 14-members that will examine and recommend changes to major league baseball on the field.  The 14-member committee will consist of four current managers, four current or former general managers, and four ownership representatives.  Also on the committee, MLB official Frank Robinson and journalist George Will.

Bud Selig has already come out and stated that he will “be guided by what the committee comes up” on various issues such as “scheduling, postseason format, umpiring, pace of play, and instant replay.”  Ultimately, the players’ union will have to approve any changes, including the possibility of having the DH Rule eliminated.  However, the DH Rule topic will not even be discussed until early 2011.

Now that the facts have all been presented on this matter, I have to comment on this particular story because if something like the DH becomes obsolete in major league baseball, this will have a profound affect on teams in the AL.  First, whatever the committee decides on (in regards to the DH) in the future, they must make the two leagues, AL and NL, both uniform in their game styles.  I don’t think a move to eliminate the DH is aimed at making the NL more competitive.  The goal is and should be to make both leagues have consistent playing styles.  I have never been a huge supporter of the DH rule that is exclusively only allowed in the American League.

I know people will argue, “well I don’t want to watch a pitcher strike out four times a game, or consistently bunt the runner from first to second every time they are at bat.”  Well, sorry to bring this to your attention but that’s baseball.  Baseball, historically, has always been played with 9 players, with one of those being the pitcher who also bats.  I don’t care if the pitcher strikes out every time, that is part of the game.  The DH completely eliminates the strategy of managers to decide upon whether to leave a pitcher in the game or to bring in a pinch-hitter.  I would much rather prefer watching a fantastic pitching duel than a home-run derby.  The DH, in essence, is just an inflated glory position for players who can’t handle the rigorous task of taking the field every day.

I hope the DH position does become obsolete and baseball can be played in the American League how it was meant to be played.  Will the players’ union go for it?  Who knows, but probably  not.  It will take much convincing and persuading to change the minds of players and union officials sign off on the approval of such a ban.  Who in the players’ union would want to ban a rule that allows players like Jim Thome and Daivd Ortiz to earn $13 million a year to just get hits and score runs?  Yeah, things like that will be extremely difficult to convince the players’ union otherwise.  But, nonetheless, just the possibility of having the DH banned is still interesting and we will have to wait until 2011 to see what transpires.

The First Big Deal

Baseball’s winter meetings have brought us our first big deal. A three-way trade among the Tigers, Yankees, and Diamondbacks has been agreed upon in principle, centering around Curtis Granderson.

The Yankees receive Curtis Granderson (OF). The Tigers receive Max Scherzer (RHP), Austin Jackson (OF), Phil Coke (LHP), and Daniel Schlereth (LHP). The Diamondbacks receive Edwin Jackson (RHP) and Ian Kennedy (RHP).

To begin, the Tigers have made it no secret that Curtis Granderson is available for the right price. Granderson has been great for Detroit (the club and the city), but the economy is indeed having an effect on baseball. Detroit has been looking to cut costs and unloading Granderson’s contract is certainly one way of doing it. Now this is in no way a firesale. The Tiger’s, while parting ways with stars Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson, welcome some great young talent. Austin Jackson will hit for average and the power will be there eventually. He is ranked by mlb.com as the #27 prospect in baseball. He reminds me a lot of a young, rough around the edges, Curtis Granderson. Apparently the Yankees just lack the patience. Who can blame them? They are the Yankees and they are in need of an outfielder ready to play everyday.

In Max Scherzer, the Tigers get a strike out machine. Scouts have raved about Scherzer’s potential and the impact he has already had, granted it is in the National League. Scherzer finished the 2009 campaign (9-11) with a 4.12 E.R.A. The more impressive stat, 174 strikeouts in only 170.1 innings of work. Add him to Rick Porcello and Tiger fans have reason to get excited about the future this pitching staff could bring. I know they dealt Edwin Jackson who was stellar last season, but let’s not get too carried away. Granted, his stuff looked great in Detroit, but he was considered the pitcher Tampa Bay could most afford to part ways with just one year ago. Add Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth and a shaky Tiger bullpen is much improved. I honestly believe that this trade will pay off for Detroit by this time next year.

Now for Arizona. You lose two young pitchers. You get two young pitchers. If Edwin Jackson can continue what he started last year this could pay off. The jury is still out on Ian Kennedy. I still believe he can be a very servicable MLB pitcher.

So who are the winners and losers here? Does there really need to be a loser? The Yankees get what they want, an everyday outfielder who can really add to their already strong lineup. The Yankees also sell the farm, but it’s the Yankees farm. All these guys are easily replacable by throwing a $100 million at the next hotshot free agent. Besides, who really knows what will become of Phil Coke, Austin Jackson, and Ian Kennedy. The Tigers get what they want, a salary cut, bullpen help, and young replacements with just as much potential as the stars they let go. And the Diamondbacks, well if Edwin Jackson looks like he did last year their pitching staff becomes one the best in the National League with Dan Haren and a healthy Brandon Webb. Overall, I don’t think there is a loser here. Isn’t that why they all agreed on it in the first place?