Major League Baseball has plenty of rivalries that garner headlines and divide fans, but one of the biggest flashpoints of discussion in the sport is gaining steam.
That discussion revolves around whether or not the National League should, or will, adopt the designated hitter position in their lineups. The American League instituted the DH to increase offense during the 1970’s, and the success of the position has not only done that, but it’s also given veteran players the ability to continue their careers even after they become less than effective with their gloves in the field.
The momentum to institute the DH in the National League has been slow to build, but according to St. Louis Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, it’s starting to gain steam. Here’s what he told the St. Louis Post Dispatch:
“Mozeliak said there is “more momentum” than in years past to bring the designated hitter into the National League. He said this mentioning conversations he’s had with other general managers and owners. When asked to elaborate on the comments made to fans, Mozeliak described how the topic of the DH in the NL used to be a “non-starter” with officials, but now it’s become more of a topic.”
The discussion over whether to bring the designated hitter rule into both leagues has gained steam in recent years because of the high cost of pitching, and the potential for pitchers to be injured while swinging the bat. Some higher profile players, like Cardinals hurler Adam Wainwright, have come out against a change, but with the league still looking for ways to increase hitting, that adjustment may still be coming.
As for what it could mean to the Chicago Cubs, the impact would be immediate and would benefit them greatly. With big leaguers like Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler seemingly tailor-made to be a designated hitter, and with a prospect like Dan Vogelbach being blocked in his path to the big leagues by Anthony Rizzo at first base, any opportunity to add a hitting spot in the lineup could be big for them.
Not that this means that Theo Epstein and company are planning on having that opportunity.
Chicago Baseball
“We have so many hitters coming we wouldn’t mind a DH,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times. “But we can’t control that. It’s above our pay grade. It’s an issue with the commissioner and the owners. We can’t count on it. There are no indications that the DH is coming anytime soon.”
The soonest that the DH issue could be addressed would be in the new negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the MLBPA. The CBA expires on Dec. 1, 2016.
