Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Thursday 7 February 2019

3-batter minimum, early trade deadline, DH changes proposed

Continued from Page 17 the previous season would PITCHER’S MOUND
be credited with a full year The pitcher’s mound was
Management is concerned of major league service if dropped from 15 inches to
about a drop in offense he finishes among the top 10 for the 1969 season, and
that saw strikeouts exceed three in voting for Rookie of management wants to
hits for the first time last year the Year, Cy Young Award, establish a committee to
and the big league batting MVP or Rivera/Hoffman re- study whether it should be
average drop to its lowest liever award; he wins World lowered again. The union
level since 1972. In a season Series or League Champi- wants the committee to in-
that included an unusually onship Series MVP; or he clude active players.
cold and wet April, aver- is among the top three in INNING BREAKS
age attendance dropped Wins Above Replacement, Players are willing discuss
for the third straight season or WAR, defined by the whether inning breaks can
and fell below 30,000 for average of the Fangraphs be shortened. Among the
the first time since 2003. and Baseball Reference ideas suggested include
Some of the most interest- calculations. Currently, using split screens that in-
ing changes appear likely 172 days during the 186- clude commercials on
to be put off until 2020 at day season are needed to broadcasts at the start of
the earliest. be credited for a year of half-innings.q
RELIEF PITCHERS major league service. The
Management proposed Chicago Cubs called up
that a team not be al- Kris Bryant in 2015 to leave
lowed to bring in a reliever him with exactly 171 days,
until the previous pitcher sparking a grievance that
has faced three batters or In this March 8, 2015, file photo, Seattle Mariners’ J.A. Happ remains unresolved.
an inning ends. There were throws a pitch between innings as pitch clock counts down in DISABLED LIST/OPTIONAL
the background during a spring training baseball game against
1,145 one-batter outings the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Ariz. ASSIGNMENTS
last season, according to Associated Press Management proposed
the Elias Sports Bureau, up that the shortest disabled
from 1,119 the previous with limitations on its use. up to 28 for the rest of the list increase from 10 days to
year but down from 1,182 MOUND VISITS WITHOUT season. The union coun- 15, its minimum before 2017,
in 2016. The change would PITCHING CHANGES tered that each team and the minimum time be-
have an impact on the A limit of six began last should be required to have fore an optioned player
use of “openers” for a few season, and management 28 active from Sept. 1 on can be recalled from the
batters, a move pioneered wants to lower that to four and that there be a supple- minors also increase from
by Tampa Bay manager this season and three in mental roster of four play- 10 to 15 — keeping the ex-
Kevin Cash and emulated 2020. The union countered ers after the Triple-A post- ception that the limit does
by Milwaukee manager with five this year and, if season ends. No starting not apply when replacing
Craig Counsell in Game 5 the average time of a nine- pitchers would be allowed a player who is placed on
of the NL Championship inning game is longer this on the supplemental roster, the DL. Concerned about
Series, when he removed year than last, then four in and at least two of the four service time, the union is
left-handed starter Wade 2020. would have to be position not yet conformable with
Miley after one batter and TRADE DEADLINE players. that plan.
replaced him with right- Players proposed a single ANTI-TANKING TWO-SPORT ATHLETES
hander Brandon Woodruff. trade deadline be insti- Concerned that teams with Worried baseball may lose
Players countered the tuted before the All-Star small or no playoff chances athletes such as Oakland
change should start in the break to keep teams from put less of an emphasis on outfielder Kyler Murray,
minor leagues this year and dealing veterans when winning to get higher selec- the Heisman Trophy-win-
reach the majors in 2020. the clubs conclude their tions in the amateur draft, ning quarterback, play-
DESIGNATED HITTER chances of a playoff berth the union proposed that ers proposed two-sport
The DH has been used in have dwindled. The dead- a team with 90 or more athletes be able to sign
the AL since 1973, but the line for trades without waiv- losses in consecutive years major league contracts.
NL has never adopted the ers was June 15 from 1923 have its highest selection Since 2012, all amateur
rule and Commissioner Rob through 1985 and has been in the next amateur draft free agents must sign minor
Manfred has said he sup- July 31 since. Players who dropped 15 slots and lose league contracts.
ports the status quo. The clear waivers can be dealt $2 million in international STARTING EXTRA INNINGS
union proposed the DH after the deadline, but they signing bonus pool allo- WITH A RUNNER ON SEC-
start being used in the NL must be in an organization cation. A team with 90 or OND BASE
this year, but management by Aug. 31 to be eligible for more losses in three straight Players are generally ame-
in the past has considered the postseason. years would drop 20 slots nable to management’s
the DH an economic issue, ROSTER SIZE and lose $3 million in allo- proposal to start the 10th
and Manfred has said that Many have criticized the cation. and subsequent innings of
economic changes must roster rules, which gener- Clubs that reach the post- spring training games and
wait for negotiations for a ally allow a team 25 active season would be awarded the All-Star Game with a
new labor contract that players through Aug. 31 additional draft picks in runner on second, although
would start ahead of the and then 40 until the end the competitive balance in the All-Star Game they
2022 season. of the season. Manage- rounds. want a player who already
PITCH CLOCKS ment proposed allowing SERVICE TIME has left the game to be
Management again has a 26-man roster, includ- A player in his debut sea- eligible to be one of those
proposed a pitch clock, ing a 12-pitcher maximum, son or with less than 30 days runners.
and the union countered through Aug. 31, and then of major league service in STUDY ON LOWERING