Radical Proposal to Improve MLB

[swoboda]

Now this is a radical proposal:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...lan-to-fix-it/

[Le Grande Orange]

One thing that article didn't do was separate the data between the AL and NL. I'd be interested to see what, if any, differences the presence of the DH in the AL had on relief pitcher usage.

ETA: I'm not really a fan of some of their suggestions, seeing as they impose what are effectively arbitrary restrictions on what managers and GMs are able to do. If a reduction in pitching effectiveness is desired, perhaps it's better to go with a solution already used in baseball's past: lowering the pitching mound.

[Westheim]

The author states he does not "hate" this. I do.

Thank heavens I am sure we can mob Markus into having something like that toggleable for at least a few seasons in OOTP.......

[Cobra Mgr]

Radical, yes. I'm not in favor of hearing solutions that have absolutely zero chance of ever being implemented.

Let's say this idea is installed. We are now going to have 14 position players on the roster? Does the NL need 6 potential pinch hitters each game when the mgrs are going to be making fewer pitching changes? Seems to me owners will be playing more players to sit on their tookus. And mediocre hitters at that. You know the MLBPA will have none of it seeing that half the union are pitchers w/jobs at stake.

[Cobra Mgr]

I loved this guy's radical suggestions better.

[swoboda]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I loved this guy's radical suggestions better.

Interesting but I think the dynamic strike zone would actually make at bats longer

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by swoboda

Interesting but I think the dynamic strike zone would actually make at bats longer

As the article consented, we aren't sure of the unintended consequences. I think it would be worth it to experiment with in the future.

I think moving the mound back instead of down is an interesting notion. The effectiveness on fastballs is clear. But what about curves, sliders, knucklers etc.?

I also would like to try his playoff suggestions. The Yanks, RSox, Dodgers can become super clubs that can discourage others in the division from trying hard. Making 90 wins the threshold gives the rest of the league hope and can keep their fans interested.

[Bluenoser]

I like the idea for the All-Star game.

Love the post All-Star idea for twi-night dbl headers with proceeds to a worthy cause.

Shortening the distance between bases - maybe - if it would help make the SB a key part of the game strategy again I'd be for it.

[dkgo]

One change I really want to see is that a year of service time should start at 30 days, not 172. If you play during the season not just as an expanded roster call-up then it counts.

It is so stupid that teams get away with blatant manipulation of the best players like bryant, acuna, and now guerrero jr this year.

[Westheim]

Yeah, because 30 days round up to a year…

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by dkgo

One change I really want to see is that a year of service time should start at 30 days, not 172. If you play during the season not just as an expanded roster call-up then it counts.

Minor league service time uses the 30-day threshold. The 172-day figure for MLB service time calculations is, from what I understand, more a result of U.S. labor laws. Even back in the 1950s, when the regular season only lasted 168 days, partial season service was still computed using the 172-days-to-a-year rate.

[PSUColonel]

I don’t think you have to fundamentally change the rules in order to improve the game. My ides are also very radical and have zero chance of being implemented.

1. Shorten the regular season by 30 games. If you can’t tell who is playoff worthy and who isn’t by September...well...you need to get the money back you paid for your education.

2. Eliminate the 40 man roster expansion. This is really what makes September baseball useless. Teams are tanking all over the place.

3. Expand to 32 teams and have an NFL style setup where you must win the division in order to be playoff eligible....no wildcards.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

3. Expand to 32 teams and have an NFL style setup where you must win the division in order to be playoff eligible....no wildcards.

Just say no to four-team divisions.

[swoboda]

According to several sources in the media today big changes coming in the 2020 season including the three batter minimum per pitcher rule , I would favor a two batter minimum, but I support any reasonable effort to improve length of avg game. Also one less mound visit per team is expected.

[kq76]

I agree that we want less strikeouts, more bench players, and to limit relievers, but I don't like his new rules and, even with phasing them in, 10 might be too few.

I am happy that MLB seems to be about to limit relievers to 13 and increase the roster to 26, that sounds right to me, but I dislike this 3 batter minimum idea (and I still don't get how they're going to rule if an injury as real or fake). Like the author pointed out, while it will reduce game length, it won't help in reducing strikeouts and I'm more bothered by the latter than the former.

[swoboda]

Agree with you 500% on the need to reduce strikeouts and nothing seems to be pointing in that direction. On the fake injury thing I don't think that would actually happen much.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by kq76

I am happy that MLB seems to be about to limit relievers to 13 . . .

The idea is accepted, but the actual number of the limit is going to be determined by a yet-to-be-established joint MLB-MLBPA committee which will study the issue, as well as other potential rule changes.

Originally Posted by kq76

. . . and increase the roster to 26 . . .

That will be starting next season. For most of the regular season it will be a 26-man active roster (27 for some doubleheaders), and in September it will be a 28-man active roster limit.