Interleague play - DH - Viciedo/Dunn - Bud Selig

[59th street]

 

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ May 16, 2012 -> 09:51 PM) *

Ok with Viciedo officially heating up, I want Dayan playing at least 2 games vs Cubs.

 

Have Dunn, Dayan and Paulie sit out 1 game each ?

 

In fact: Move Dayan to 3B for the series.

 

 

 

This is why inter-league play needs to end. It is grossly unfair to AL teams when playing in NL parks.

I know it puts $ in owners pockets but it destroys the integrity of the game.

 

I wish the owners would create a position in MLB senior management that could look out for big picture issues like this and resolve them responsibly........ (hello Bud Selig...FIX THIS!!).

 

While a blanket inclusion or elimination of the DH is probably too much to expect; I will never understand why MLB simply does not allow the AL teams to utilize the DH in NL parks. The NL teams all have no problem switching to the use of a DH when playing in an AL park.

 

This is a simple and IMMEDIATE solution to a significant issue of competitive fairness. Why the AL owners/GM's do not demand that this occur has always mystified me.

 

 

I am truly interested in opinions on the above. Thought I would try a new thread based on a "carry over" from what was part of a discussion about Viceado/Dunn in LF for the cub series.

 

My feelings are as stated above and I cannot believe the AL teams have allowed this to continue. I would really like to hear what others think about this.

[fathom]

I've always thought it's absolutely ridiculous that they make AL pitchers hit in the interleague games at NL parks. With all the money invested in pitchers, there's just too much of an injury risk having these guys hit when it's not something they practice for all year (like their NL counterparts).

[LittleHurt05]

While a blanket inclusion or elimination of the DH is probably too much to expect; I will never understand why MLB simply does not allow the AL teams to utilize the DH in NL parks. The NL teams all have no problem switching to the use of a DH when playing in an AL park.

 

This part of your argument is wrong. AL rosters are built for the DH and can plug in guys like Ortiz & Dunn. NL teams don't have that luxury and are forced to put a 4th OF or 5th IF in that DH spot, which puts them at a huge disadvantage when they play in

[lasttriptotulsa]

I've always thought that the NL had an advantage in interleague too. AL team goes to NL park, loses one of their best hitters. NL team goes to AL park, loses their worst hitter and whomever they put as DH is better than a pitcher. I suppose we better get used to seeing interleague tho cause it ain't going away and there's gonna be interleague games everyday all year next year.

[ScottyDo]

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ May 16, 2012 -> 09:51 PM) *

Ok with Viciedo officially heating up, I want Dayan playing at least 2 games vs Cubs.

 

Have Dunn, Dayan and Paulie sit out 1 game each ?

 

In fact: Move Dayan to 3B for the series.

 

 

 

This is why inter-league play needs to end. It is grossly unfair to AL teams when playing in NL parks.

I know it puts $ in owners pockets but it destroys the integrity of the game.

 

I wish the owners would create a position in MLB senior management that could look out for big picture issues like this and resolve them responsibly........ (hello Bud Selig...FIX THIS!!).

 

While a blanket inclusion or elimination of the DH is probably too much to expect; I will never understand why MLB simply does not allow the AL teams to utilize the DH in NL parks. The NL teams all have no problem switching to the use of a DH when playing in an AL park.

 

This is a simple and IMMEDIATE solution to a significant issue of competitive fairness. Why the AL owners/GM's do not demand that this occur has always mystified me.

 

 

I am truly interested in opinions on the above. Thought I would try a new thread based on a "carry over" from what was part of a discussion about Viceado/Dunn in LF for the cub series.

 

My feelings are as stated above and I cannot believe the AL teams have allowed this to continue. I would really like to hear what others think about this.

I'm not sure this part is true. Since the inception of interleague play in 1997, the American League has won more games than the National League in 11 of the past 15 years, including each year since 2003. Since there are an equal number of home/road games between leagues, the AL is probably winning at a decent pace in NL parks (though I don't have that data). Certainly at a much higher pace than the NL in AL parks. It could be argued that the AL has simply been the more talented league over the past 15 years, but I'm not 100% sure that's the case. I'm not willing to take All-Star Game results or World Series Championships as the deciding factor there, since there are a lot of things at play, most notably small sample size. Either way, I don't think 8 years running of straight AL victory in interleague play is simply due to talent imbalance. There's probably something systematic there.

 

I disagree with your premise that the AL is at a disadvantage in NL parks but the NL is not at a disadvantage in AL parks. When an NL team comes to an AL park, they plug a bench player into the DH spot (it could work other ways defensively, but as far as the lineup is concerned, this is the case). While NL teams tend to have pinch-hitting specialists, they're not going to be as expensive or talented as an AL DH. National League teams don't have Adam Dunns or David Ortizes on their benches. They're LUCKY if they're filling the role with Jim Thome.

 

The AL disadvantage in NL parks is obvious.

 

I do agree that the rules should be normalized for both leagues, though, because systematic competitive disparity is a bad thing, whether in interleague play or the World Series. Incidentally, I'm much more in favor of the DH than the lack thereof because I really don't find it particularly interesting to watch Gavin Floyd bunt for 6 innings just for the sake of a tiny bit of managerial tinkering later in the game.

Edited May 17, 2012 by ScottyDo

[balfanman]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosen...,7346946.column

 

Rosenbloom talks about this issue.

[Greg Hibbard]

You don't lose your best hitter, you put your dh in the field somewhere if he is your best hitter. Losing the dh usually means you lose something like your sixth best hitter.

[Steve9347]

Viceado

[59th street]

This part of your argument is wrong. AL rosters are built for the DH and can plug in guys like Ortiz & Dunn. NL teams don't have that luxury and are forced to put a 4th OF or 5th IF in that DH spot, which puts them at a huge disadvantage when they play in

 

 

I totally understand what you are saying however this can also make the disadvantage to AL teams more significant as the AL rosters are structured for 150 + games using the DH and then this very significant piece is prohibited from playing. I believe this is much more of a negative to the AL than when the NL is allowed "the option" (their choice) of a DH.

 

I also would think a smart NL GM could/should bring up a "hitter" from their 40 man roster in lieu of a lesser hitter when playing in an AL park.

 

 

[fathom]

I'm sure a lot of NL teams don't mind getting one of their big hitters a breather for a 3 game period by letting them DH and not play in the field.

[Dick Allen]

I'm sure a lot of NL teams don't mind getting one of their big hitters a breather for a 3 game period by letting them DH and not play in the field.

But we always hear that DHing isn't for everyone. I think both leagues are disadvantaged when playing away games during interleague. I wish the rules were the same, and I'm thinking a DH in both leagues is the way to go. Why deal with pitchers hitting?

Edited May 17, 2012 by Dick Allen

[59th street]

But we always hear that DHing isn't for everyone. I think both leagues are disadvantaged when playing away games during interleague. I wish the rules were the same, and I'm thinking a DH in both leagues is the way to go. Why deal with pitchers hitting?

 

 

That is exactly what I am advocating; make the rules the same.

 

The two leagues are not ready to accept or decline the DH on a blanket full time basis so if you are going to continue interleague play allow both leagues the "option" to use the DH (as the NL can now) as they wish in either park.

Thus the rules are the same and the structure of the roster by teams from either league are not turned upside down during this money grab scheduling trick.

 

If only there was some one paid handsomely enough to assume a position of leadership in MLB and resolve these type of issues quickly and responsibly.

[Jake]

Anyone else interested in Viciedo at 3B?

[CanOfCorn]

That is exactly what I am advocating; make the rules the same.

 

The two leagues are not ready to accept or decline the DH on a blanket full time basis so if you are going to continue interleague play allow both leagues the "option" to use the DH (as the NL can now) as they wish in either park.

Thus the rules are the same and the structure of the roster by teams from either league are not turned upside down during this money grab scheduling trick.

 

If only there was some one paid handsomely enough to assume a position of leadership in MLB and resolve these type of issues quickly and responsibly.

 

The "issue" is the MLBPA and the DH. Millions of dollars go to players that aren't good in the field but can still rake...David Ortiz is an example. Manny Ramirez is another. Jim Thome is another...although he is playing 1B a lot in Philly. The MLBPA won't let go of the DH easily and I don't blame them.

[lasttriptotulsa]

You don't lose your best hitter, you put your dh in the field somewhere if he is your best hitter. Losing the dh usually means you lose something like your sixth best hitter.

 

For years the Sox had the 1B/DH combo of Konerko and The Big Hurt. In NL park, one of them has to sit. Then after Frank left they had the combo of Konerko/Thome. Again one of them is sitting. Losing one of Konerko/Thome/Thomas kills your lineup.

[59th street]

Anyone else interested in Viciedo at 3B?

 

 

I think that ship has sailed but given the huge hole at 3rd base I certainly understand why it continues to come up for discussion.

 

I want his bat in the line up everyday so we can finally confirm what many of us suspect (and pray for), that he is truly a major league hitter/run producer.

 

Moving him to his 4th (or 5th) position is not the way to maximize his development at this point of his career.

 

 

[flavum]

Anyone else interested in Viciedo at 3B?

 

If he still takes ground balls there, sure, why not? Maybe Friday and Saturday, then back to LF on Sunday, and sit Dunn against Maholm.

 

Anything to get Morel out of there is fine by me.

[lasttriptotulsa]

I think that ship has sailed but given the huge hole at 3rd base I certainly understand why it continues to come up for discussion.

 

I want his bat in the line up everyday so we can finally confirm what many of us suspect (and pray for), that he is truly a major league hitter/run producer.

 

Moving him to his 4th (or 5th) position is not the way to maximize his development at this point of his career.

 

I don't think a move for the few interleague, NL park games would hurt too much. If it was a choice between Morel's glove and Tank's bat I take the bat any day of the week.

[Jake]

If he still takes ground balls there, sure, why not? Maybe Friday and Saturday, then back to LF on Sunday, and sit Dunn against Maholm.

 

Anything to get Morel out of there is fine by me.

 

Yeah, the key is whether he has been practicing there.

 

When he played 162 innings there, his UZR was -2.3 (-18 per 150 games)

[59th street]

The "issue" is the MLBPA and the DH. Millions of dollars go to players that aren't good in the field but can still rake...David Ortiz is an example. Manny Ramirez is another. Jim Thome is another...although he is playing 1B a lot in Philly. The MLBPA won't let go of the DH easily and I don't blame them.

 

 

Correct that is absolutely a key "issue" and I agree the MLBPA should not let go of the DH for their membership, but what about a solution to the problem of inter league play creating a competitive dis advantage to either side. Isn't this exactly the type of issue a $16 million a year commissioner should be capable of resolving?

 

I know why MLB wants inter league play, it is the $; but if you only consider the $ you run the risk of turning baseball into WWF where nobody really cares about winning and losing and it is just entertainment and cash flow.

 

Simple (and immediate) fix is to apply the same rules to both AL and NL teams and make the DH (which is not going away) available to both teams as a option. MLB get to keep its $ and results are determined on the field.

 

 

 

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Interleague play is not more advantageous for one or the other league. AL teams have to hit their pitchers, NL teams have to find a DH. There are lots of good arguments against interleague play, but taking one side of an obviously two-sided argument isn't one of them.

 

I personally like IL play, though I am skeptical how it will work out next year doing it every day. I think it gives you a much better read on how good or bad teams are, highlights the different styles of play, brings out more fans, encourages some rivalries, and forces teams in both leagues to be more adaptive and prepared.

 

[Jake]

Interleague play is not more advantageous for one or the other league. AL teams have to hit their pitchers, NL teams have to find a DH. There are lots of good arguments against interleague play, but taking one side of an obviously two-sided argument isn't one of them.

 

I personally like IL play, though I am skeptical how it will work out next year doing it every day. I think it gives you a much better read on how good or bad teams are, highlights the different styles of play, brings out more fans, encourages some rivalries, and forces teams in both leagues to be more adaptive and prepared.

 

What? Did I miss something?

[lasttriptotulsa]

What? Did I miss something?

 

Next year the Astros move to the AL. 15 teams in each league would mean one would have to be off everyday. Since no one is gonna have off days on Fri, Sat, Sun because of attendance and such the only solution is to have one or two interleague matchups everday.

[flavum]

What? Did I miss something?

 

The Astros are moving to the AL. 15/15 means interleague all year, because you can't do byes all season.

[flavum]

Next year the Astros move to the AL. 15 teams in each league would mean one would have to be off everyday. Since no one is gonna have off days on Fri, Sat, Sun because of attendance and such the only solution is to have one or two interleague matchups everday.

 

One or three. Has to be odd.

 

Depending on how many interleague they settle on, I hope everyone plays interleague for a week and half in June, and the rest is one at a time.

Edited May 17, 2012 by flavum