It might not be long before the National League sees the incorporation of the designated hitter if the recent spike in conversations by general managers and ownership groups is an indication of the league’s willingness to budge on the hot button issue.

 

While speaking to the media at the 20th annual Winter Warm-Up Saturday, John Mozeliak said over the last year talk of adding the DH has finally reached the owner and GM level.

 

Is the DH just a year away from coming to NL? - KMOV.com

That would be lame.

This is stupid.

Love the NL game much better. Managers have to think on bullpen moves and double switches.

It's baseball.

It's time. Pitchers are worse hitters now than they've ever been. The argument that NL managers have to "manage" is lame. Being forced to make a move, or call a bunt because you have a guy hitting that can't doesn't require all that much thought. Does a double switch or deciding whether the pitcher should pitch another inning really equate to the enjoyment of watching a professional hitter driving in runs? My opinion is "no." Having the DH doesn't change the fact that baseball is about pitching, hitting and defense. The DH automatically improves hitting, and forces teams to pitch and play defense better....teams don't have a nearly automatic out coming up a few times a game.

 

The DH is employed at every level of baseball, and top line pitchers really don't have any incentive to work on hitting especially at the minor league and college level. To make those guys suddenly have to hit when they reach the bigs is just silly. Pro baseball is about watching the best players at their position play the game at a high level. Pitchers are pitchers...not professional hitters.

It's time. Pitchers are worse hitters now than they've ever been. The argument that NL managers have to "manage" is lame. Being forced to make a move, or call a bunt because you have a guy hitting that can't doesn't require all that much thought. Does a double switch or deciding whether the pitcher should pitch another inning really equate to the enjoyment of watching a professional hitter driving in runs? My opinion is "no." Having the DH doesn't change the fact that baseball is about pitching, hitting and defense. The DH automatically improves hitting, and forces teams to pitch and play defense better....teams don't have a nearly automatic out coming up a few times a game.

 

The DH is employed at every level of baseball, and top line pitchers really don't have any incentive to work on hitting especially at the minor league and college level. To make those guys suddenly have to hit when they reach the bigs is just silly. Pro baseball is about watching the best players at their position play the game at a high level. Pitchers are pitchers...not professional hitters.

 

Agreed on all counts.

More dumbing down of baseball if it happens.

More dumbing down of baseball if it happens.

 

How has baseball been dumbed down?? The use of advanced metrics and statistical analysis over the last decade or so has players and managers better prepared and making more nuanced decisions than ever. Look at the use of defensive shifts. I'd argue baseball was "dumber" prior to this decade. It doesn't take a genius to figure out you need to pinch hit in the 7th for a pitcher that can't hit when you're going to go to your bullpen anyway. Or to sacrifice bunt (which is the most boring play in baseball anyway) with a man on first and your pitcher at the plate who is a lifetime .096 hitter.

If you play the field then you should hit.

 

That's baseball.

If you play the field then you should hit.

 

That's baseball.

 

Except it's not like that at any other level of baseball and hasn't been for decades.

 

And I think if you walk up to the plate and I'm paying money to watch you hit, you should be able to hit.

Offense sells in America. Period.

Except it's not like that at any other level of baseball and hasn't been for decades.

 

And I think if you walk up to the plate and I'm paying money to watch you hit, you should be able to hit.

 

It should be that way all the way up.

Offense sells in America. Period.

 

You still need to pitch with the DH. Would you really rather watch a pitcher make a feeble attempt at bunting or swing and miss 3-4 times a game or watch somebody who can actually handle the bat. What's so great or exciting about a pitcher hitting. There's plenty of 3-2 games in the American League too.

Love the NL game much better. Managers have to think on bullpen moves and double switches.

It's baseball.

 

With all the metrics used in baseball the double switches and bullpen moves are some of the simplest moves a manager makes nowdays.

 

I'd much rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez or Frank Thomas hit than watch Jon Lester go 0-50.

With all the metrics used in baseball the double switches and bullpen moves are some of the simplest moves a manager makes nowdays.

 

I'd much rather watch David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez or Frank Thomas hit than watch Jon Lester go 0-50.

 

Precisely. The "science of National League managing" is VASTLY overrated.