Tuesday, April 28, 2015

MLB Talk: Should the NL adopt the role of DH? Yes/No

This has been quite the topic of discussion lately among baseball fans and i can honestly say I'm completely on the fence about it. Baseball writers seem pretty split about it too from what I've seen on ESPN and MLBtv. You either love the strategic complexion of the NL, or you like the slugging home run filled AL games from having that big bat in the middle of the lineup. Such a shame of how much influence TV Ratings & contracts seem to have in this, as baseball faces the popular criticism that its slow as shit and lacks the excitement factor that the NFL and NBA earn their loot on. Im going to attempt to play devils advocate and explain some pros and cons for whether or not the NL should get a Designated Hitter.


Why NL should get the DH
An argument point for the pro DH people came last night as they had their "aha see that?" moment with Adam Wainwright . Wainwright who's a top 5-10 pitcher in the MLB, tears his achilles stutter stepping out of the batters box, ending his season and a huge blow to Cardinals fans. A majority of these guys are top prospects through high school/college/minors but eventually have an ultimatum to which they chose to ditch being a position player /hitter and focus on pitching. So why have the automatic out once every 3 or so innings? Seems pretty easy to me seeing as pitchers are hitting .095 this year and that stat doesn't seem to be getting better anytime soon. From a Boston Red Sox point of view, the last 10 or so years wouldn't mean shit without the DH in the lineup. No DH, no break out David Ortiz performances, no World Series runs. Yes, Front Office moves would be altered to put out a successful ball club, but thats beside the point. Along with the DH is a scenario which makes it easier to work a guy back from injury or fatigue into the lineup. An example of this is Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki. Guys been hurt the past few years, and being able to put him at designated hitter can get him more AB's, in turn playing in more games, all of this without rushing his rehabilitation and furthering his career. Having a DH has grown the dependance on specialists in opposing teams bullpens (which is a good thing). The assumption of late inning lefty on lefty situations are personally something i like during playoffs.Another point that can spin off of using Papi and Tulo pertains to contracts and payroll. Big Market teams that spend $$ tend to be in the AL because these are the teams that can take chances on big offensive sluggers because when in doubt? Throw them at DH and take whatever offensive production ensues. Offensive numbers are certainly more of a priority in the AL because of this, and the financial flexibility of NL teams becomes handcuffed, forcing small market teams to stay small market teams( aka losers). This topic could literally go on forever so ill cut it there. Overall, bring in the fucking DH, MLB.

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