The National League will not have the designated hitter in 2021 as LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reported. This does and doesn’t come as a surprise. The National League adopted the designated hitter for 2020 for several reasons, but it was only a 1-year agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. So, from that standpoint, we figured that this would be coming.
But the designated hitter role in the National League did seem to be more favorable than expected – though there’s still some push back on it from certain corners (both in the game and out). As for the headline and the word maybe, it’s there for a reason.
If there’s going to be a designated hitter moving forward then it is something that must be collectively bargained between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. And if that’s going to be something that either side wants for the 2021 season then it’s likely something they will look to address very soon. With free agency beginning in two weeks both teams and players alike will want to know whether there’s a designated hitter for half of the teams in the league, or for all of the teams in the league.
Players and their agents are going to want to know who they need to talk to and use their time negotiating with. Teams are going to want to know how they need to go about building their roster. If there’s going to be a designated hitter then you are very likely to build your bench a little bit different than if there isn’t one and you are going to need to use the bench more often to hit than if the bench will be used less frequently at the plate and more as defenders and pinch runners.
For Cincinnati it will make their outfield even more interesting, especially if Nick Castellanos chooses to remain with the Reds for the 2021 season (which is expected). Having Nick Senzel, Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, and Shogo Akiyama means that someone would be sitting every day without a designated hitter option. There’s nothing wrong with having too many options to go with, but it’s also better when you have somewhere to play many of your good options.
No DH. Good news. Now if only they’d rollback a few of the other T-Ball rules
Agreed. Never been a fan of the DH and never will be. That’s what has always made the NL different since the AL put in that ridiculous rule back in the 70’s. We’re just getting more and more softball players who can’t play a lick of defense if we go to universal DH. NOT what I want to see.
I have always opposed the DH rule, but I think the time has come to accept the fact that it is here to stay in the AL and that both leagues need to operate under the same rules. As far as the Reds go I think it makes a lot of sense.
Just think how low our batting average will be next year with pitchers batting again. Could be less than 200. How embarrassing would that be?
Actually the team batting average could go up with Pitchers hitting for DHs.
Sign Didi Gregorious for SS, start Tyler Stephenson this year, make decisions on starting staff if not signing Bauer then must decide Lorenzen or Antone as his replacement.
I have to believe signing Trevor for us is still a long-shot and will take a 2-year, $70M deal with a player opt-out. And I’m fine with that and still moving Lorenzen into a SP role.
I’m not in the Didi camp because I think he’ll want a longer term deal and I’m inclined to see Garcia as a better, longer future if he can just get a full season in the minors.
How about Andrelton Simmons at SS for a year or two with Garcia getting a good amount of playing time? Cheaper than Gregorius. I’m not sure it’ll take $35m/yr for Bauer – maybe so. But, sorry, I don’t think any pitcher is worth that. And I’m not sure that any team is likely to go there this year following a COVID-19 year revenue wipe out and less than 40% of the typical games/starts.
If no DH then Lorenzen by far. But obviously depending on how they do in ST.
I resisted it for a long time, but the time has come to use it. I’m thinking this is an easy “reversal” over the winter anyway and we’ll see this as a pre-emptive part of the new CBA. I don’t want to see pitchers hit and I don’t buy the “strategy” angle offered up so much. I think the 3-batter minimum forces more and better strategy anyway.
If the loss of the DH sticks, it’s only for one year anyway. I’d pretty much bet the farm it will be a part of the CBA anyway.
Agree with comment on three batter minimum; I really like that change
I am reconciled to the DH. However, I believe the players should all be in the dugout or the bullpen for the entirety of the game, not sitting in some air-conditioned clubhouse watching video and hitting in cages. I’d put a porta potty at the end of the dugout! Managed to play a lot of baseball when I was growing up with a bench and a portajohn! Seriously, I believe the DH should be a part of the team and the team should be a part of the game, and they should all be visible in the dugout and bullpen.
+500
Doc, the only possible exception for me would be actual SP’s who aren’t due to pitch within the next 2 days. As for the rest, be present and part of the effort.
How about Andrelton Simmons at SS for a year or two with Garcia getting a good amount of playing time? Cheaper than Gregorius. I’m not sure it’ll take $35m/yr for Bauer – maybe so. But, sorry, I don’t think any pitcher is worth that. And I’m not sure that any team is likely to go there this year following a COVID-19 year revenue wipe out and less than 40% of the typical games/starts.
I’d be interested to see what would draw Simmons to cover the next couple of years at SS.
Old school guy that would never say the DH is a good thing but for us the Reds it sure would help.Joey,Moose,Wink and Big Nick just aren’t very good at all on defense and throw in the way Eugenio can get lazy throwing the ball we would be just awful on defense.Truthfully all of these guys are DH’s right now or soon will be in the next year or so.
Certainly agree the DH would help the Reds right now. Too many poor defenders to find places for. I’d like to see them move Senzel to second, play Akiyama in center. Having Moose and Votto as the right side of the infield for the next 3 years is a lot of money to throw at below average defense and mediocre hitting. Have all the respect and appreciation in the world for Joey and like the attitude Moose brings to the game, but neither of them are the future and having both of them is an anchor. 25-30% of payroll tied up between them? Ouch!
Moose to 1st, Senzel to 2nd, and Votto to bench and spot starting. Better ‘D’ and hitting. waver Votto if he continues his poor play/hitting and send to minors. He just isn’t the player any more. Great to average minus.
I wasn’t in favor of the DH ever since its inception by the AL. I kind of like it now for the NL.
I also like Simmons for SS. Gregorius will have draft pick compensation attached to him as he is the one SS likely to get a QO. Simmons will not.
Also, CTrent has an article up today about Trevor Bauer. Bauer said this year with the Reds was his most fun season to date he has had in MLB. Now if he becomes the first Reds pitcher ever to win a Cy Young Award that has to give the Reds at least a good legitimate chance to re-sign him.
It seems to me a question of not too much time before the DH is a fact of life for MLB. With the Reds current weak offense, the DH is needed not only for homeruns but for hits to get runners on base and also across the plate from scoring position.
An aside, Riley Pint of the Rockies may be a good change of scenery candidate. I think the price will still be relatively high, but that kind of arm under DJ’s eye and the Boddy Program could be an interesting development.
I think that it’s time for the DH. Put Votto in the sixth or seventh hole, and don’t play him at all against lefties. Play Senzel at second, and hope he stays healthy. We need to clean up that mess in the outfield too.