As a huge concession to the players' union, these paragons of pedigree approved... drum roll, please... the universal designated hitter.
Those of us who are not billionaires - you know who you are - can hardly imagine the economic pain to be inflicted upon these barons of culture - each, a veritable Charles Foster Kane, if not a Charles Montgomery Burns - that comes from this move. Approving the DH will cost the owners - GASP! - a fortune because - um, actually, I am incapable of gleaning it, because this almost seems as though it would put more fannies in the seats. But what do I know? I'm not a billionaire.
But enough about labor crapola. The question here remains, as always:
How will this affect the Yankees?
I am delighted to report the answer is, "HUZZAH!"
For starters, baseball's biggest winner might be our own Luke Voit, the linebacker at 1B, who now has twice the number of teams interested in his services.
Last year, at the trade deadline, with Andrew Rizzo arriving, the Yankees offered Luke around like a cold plate of clams. Nobody took a flier. But with a DH rule in the National League, several teams could see renewed interest in the 2020 HR champ. And that's not all.
Suddenly, there are twice the marks - teams, I mean teams - who could find a place for the ultimate fulltime DH solution: Mr. Giancarlo Stanton.
But wait, there's more! If Gary Sanchez ever stops flailing at pitches in the dirt, his career could find an extra three to five years as an everyday DH. Same with Miguel Andujar, who is running out of defensive positions to attempt.
Two days ago, none of these guys were remotely tradeable, aside from throw-ins to NATO if the Russians invade Ukraine. Now, the Yankees have a chance. Their trade market just doubled.
As for all those Tampa-type teams - teams who shuffle young and athletic hitters through the DH slot - hah, suck it, losers! The NL already has its share of defense. It needs more obese, aging, overpriced sluggers approaching their twilight years. Does anything more sum up the modern Yankees?
Onward to spring training! What's the ETA: Sometime in April?
I don't want to get rid of Stanton anymore. I just want him to play the outfield, which obviously effects (affects? never sure) his hitting. He's not an old man, his legs seem to work as he is ambulatory. Put 'im out there.
ReplyDeleteIt's taken me a long time, but I don't measure the guy against his salary, which is absurd. But he's a good player. If they let him play.
Yesterday Manfred said that players need a minimum of 4 weeks of Spring Training and they can be prepared to jump into ST in under a week after the new CBA is signed.
ReplyDeleteSo our timetable for a full season looks like this:
February 24-28 Players Report
March 1-29 Spring Training
March 31 Opening Day
Which gives MLB and the players a two-week window to sign the new contract. Hopefully Saturday's proposal by the owners is a step toward that, though I remain pessimistic.
A few thoughts...
ReplyDelete1) Knowing Brain he probably already committed Luke in a secret ninja deal that takes effect after the lockout ends for less than he can get now.
2) I'm glad that the DH is going to be used in both leagues. Especially because it's used in the minors and in college, meaning that pitchers didn't bat ANYWHERE but the NL, which frankly, was just stupid.
3) This big "concession" won't really cost the owners because they are going to use it to get a more punitive luxury tax. The annual cost of payroll is what it will be. They don't care how it is split among the players. More for a DH just means less for someone else. That's how salary caps (and de facto salary caps) work.
Last,
I read somewhere that MLB should adopt the NBA rules for retaining their own players. Where they can exceed the tax level and have it not count. This would be both fair and help small market teams retain their talent and give teams like the Yankees the ability to overpay players like Judge without it screwing them overall. I like this idea.
I’m still wary about the owners. Don’t trust ‘em. Yes, I support the universal DH.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea that Doug mentioned about team’s retaining their own players.
Tired of the small markets stuffing revenue sharing dollars down their pants.
There should be a salary cap floor as well as a salary cap ceiling.
Agreed about the salary floor. Otherwise the caps are just corporate welfare for the Jeff Lorias of the world.
ReplyDeleteAgreed about the DH. Its opponents always talk about the great strategy of having pitchers bat. Most of the time, there's no great strategy involved at all. The pitcher bunts—which he usually can't do well—or you pinch-hit for him if you're behind.
The vast majority of the time, it's watching athletes try to do something they can't do. Where else do you see this on a regular basis in sports? Nowhere, that's where.
"it's watching athletes try to do something they can't do. Where else do you see this on a regular basis in sports? Nowhere, that's where"
ReplyDeleteHoss,
Apparently you've never watched the Knicks and the Giants.
And thanks for the set-up. :)
At least we have movement in the negotiations...
ReplyDeleteThe Commentariat is rolling today.
ReplyDeleteIf The Yankees get rid of Luke Void, I volunteer to drive him to the airport.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBaseball: a museum posing as a sport
Great one in there, Doug K.! Happy to be your set-up guy anytime.
ReplyDelete