Rule changes are coming to major league baseball and – if these changes occur – they could favor a long-term union between the Phillies and Bryce Harper, writes Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Adding the designated hitter to the National League, though still very much in question, would help preserve Harper’s body long-term and keep his bat in the lineup even if his glovework doesn’t rebound after a difficult 2018. Salisbury also mentions the elimination of the shift and the proposed three-batter minimum for pitchers as rule changes that could benefit Harper and the Phillies in the long-term. Of course, these changes would be implemented league-wide, so if in fact they would benefit Harper, they’d benefit him wherever he lands. It’s particularly curious to list the potential adoption of the designated hitter as a benefit to a Harper-Phillies marriage, as there are fifteen teams not based in Philadelphia who could claim that benefit today (though he’s not wrong). Speculation of the future can begin in earnest as soon as Harper puts pen to paper, which some think will happen by tomorrow latest, while Buster Olney of ESPN suggests a resolution could come by Tuesday. As we await the big decision, let’s see what else is happening around the league…
- The answer in San Francisco continues to be “not much” as fans await a splashy move from new president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi, per Al Saracevic of the San Francisco Chronicle. It’s not all doom-and-gloom for Giants fans, some of whom are holding out hope for a Harper signing. Harper continues to make sense for the Giants, who lack established bats in the outfield, but signing him would be a quick pivot for Zaidi, who has preached patience in the early going. Of course, Harper is a unique case. If he ends up with the Giants, fans will certainly have something to be excited about, and if he doesn’t, they can at least look forward to reaping the long-term benefits of Zaidi’s prudence.
- Franklin Barreto began a new endeavor in his career with five innings in left field yesterday. The starting second base job belongs to Jurickson Profar for now, and it appears as if the bench role will go to Chad Pinder, per MLB.com’s Jane Lee. Barreto was the A’s top prospect per Baseball America in both 2016 and 2017, but after struggling through two short stints in the majors the last two seasons, Barreto’s future in Oakland is muddled. Jed Lowrie’s free agency seemed an opportunity for Barreto to stake his claim to the keystone, but the Profar acquisition thrust Barreto back into limbo. He’ll be 23 this season, slated to begin the year R Triple A where’s he has played most of the last three seasons. Barreto has only one option year remaining, making 2019 a make-or-break year. Pinder, meanwhile, has three option years remaining, but established his value to the big league club last season by hitting .258/.332/.436 while appearing at every position except pitcher and catcher.
i dont think the DH has much to do with Harper going where he does. NL teams have been the front runners most of the way, and he still should be able to at least play in the outfield (perhaps not at an above average level, but at least conpetently) when he’s 35/36.
The only + is that it gives him the chance if needed when he’s older (knee injury, etc) where he can get more rest but still get his bat in the lineup. But I agree, he’s mostly been connected to NL teams anyways, unless they all feel like it’ll be a league wide thing soon.
The baseball nerds have rated Harper as a horrendous outfielder, so I think that is why they think using the DH in the NL would benefit him/his market. I live in the DC area, and honestly, I saw Harper misjudge a couple of balls, but he didn’t seem horrendous to me. Considering he grew up as a catcher, I would expect there to be some times when he struggles with certain angles, caroms, etc.
He was bad in the field last year. For the rest of his career he rates roughly average. People make way to much over the most recent sample size because they want to push an ‘over rated’ narrative.
He had a good arm, but did not have very good outfield instinct. Anyways, the DH rule will benefit him the older he gets.
Harper is far too reckless defensively, to the detriment of his own career, but hey, “fans” love to see “playing hard” aka hurting yourself and not being about to produce at their ceiling.
He only hit .240-something anyway.
No bat.
Would make as good a DH as Adam Dunn did for the White Sox.
Did the “no bat” contribute to his 34 HR and 100 RBI in ’18?
When he swings for the fence, he tends to not keep his eyes on the ball; and that seems to be his problem during clutch times, or more in general against above average junkball pitching. Okay. He’s accumulated walks, but it’s found that is what breaks his concentration. Well. He is a good ball player. Can be negative at times, and his attitude will not be missed. It would have been different if he would of won the Nationals a championship and could actually become the face of the Nationals. Well. Best of luck to Philly. He will hopefully become your face guy for a couple years. I’m really looking forward to watching baseball this year and the rivalry between the two teams. Let’s now go pick up Keuchal and play ball! Go Nationals!
Wow way to overrate the disaster that was the White Sox stinted Adam Dunn. Same as Harper? That’s hysterical.
Despite a .249 average he had a .393 OBP, .496 slg% and a 133 OPS+. His bat is just fine.
Learn baseball
Giants recently obtained a lot of money with the Oracle deal: Why would we not use this money? The goal is to sign an outfielder who can put up 30+ home runs yearly, which is something that as a 26 year old, Harper can probably do for at least the next 5 or 6 years. What other use is there for this money? Trout will likely not go to SF, Arenado has awful road splits, Betts might not even reach free agency: Who are they waiting for? Outfielders don’t grow on trees, and we have had a history of being terrible at developing outfielders.
quite far from a lock that Trout goes to SF. They need to either look like a contender or get a few more half decent prospects first.
I think you misread his statement
“Trout will likely NOT go to SF”
Trout to WASHINGTON Campaign to replace Adam EATON! BOOM!
Trout to White Sox.
They will use Manny money.
I just can’t see Trout not playing in either Philly or NY.
I’m sure not a lot of people saw Manny playing for the Padres…
I live in the Philly area and like it. But after all those years in Southern California, there is no way he returns “home” just because he was born in New Jersey. Where Trout winds up might come down to a battle between the Angels and Dodgers.
Doesn’t Trout still live in South Jersey in the offseason?
Trout lives on the 150 acre farm next to his parents in the off season and his wife teaches in the school district
Trout only lives in Southern California because commuting from Millville would be a killer.
Yeah right. They’ll offer him some sort of incentive based contract that if every milestone were met would pay him 350 mil while he’ll get offered $450 mil from all legit teams. Comical how machado just sat on the white Sox offer with no interest of ever taking that offer. What an undesirable place to go. “We deserve a seat at the table” whines Hahn. Whatever dude.
Frank Abate………….
Actually it’s 300 acres of woods and farmland a few minutes away, but point taken.
Ummmm, Trout has a farm in Jersey ..
yep
I concur 100 %. Unlike the Dodgers, the Giants as of the last few years, have been absolutely dreadful at scouting and developing players, especially outfielders.
I understand they have been burned on too many recent big money contracts, however, Harper is just entering his prime. Giants fans I feel, are going to have a rough 2019. Could even be last place in the NL West this year.
Sounds like Harper is a lock for Philadelphia. Not sure what other move the Giants can make for a young talent even close to Harper.
There are a myriad uses the new money could be put towards, not just players.
“Giants recently obtained a lot of money with the Oracle deal: Why would we not use this money?”
Because your fave teams owner is a greedy scumbag! (goes for everyones fave team)
Not true. Giants never rebuild, always go all in, spend oodles of money on contracts (zito, cain, Rowland, Posey, belt, crawford) on deals that are mocked by fans of other teams, and yet are still one of the most successful organizations in baseball. I know today’s Twitter fans have extremely short memories, but giants fans stay the course.
True that!
I’m proud of the Giants ownership relative to just about any other team, recent bad records aside.
They’re one of the only, if not THE only, privately funded stadium in mlb, have invested extensively in redeveloping the areas around the stadium, and they are very loyal to players and fans alike.
Add that to the success they’ve had this decade and the recent FO moves, and they’ve certainly earned my respect.
Oh, and then consider the other end of the spectrum with the extremely greedy scumbags…like what loria did to Miami…
Looks like they are working on the farm system right now. They have a few years before they are ready to sign a big name.
As much as I’d hate to lose Barreto, Chad Pinder is too valuable and talented to lose his spot. The guy that makes the most sense to be traded for decent value is Semien. Pinder is a capable SS, Barreto seems athletic enough to play some OF, and the penny-pinching A’s could save a few bucks. But wtf do I know?
The A’s are not losing Barreto. While they do have a surplus of talent to deal with (crazy to think Max Muncy, Richie Martin, Renato Nunez & Joey Wendle will all be regulars this year) the A’s absolutely can keep all three of those.
The guy who doesn’t really have to be in the org anymore is Mark Canha. Olson doesn’t need or want days off.
Not convinced these rule changes will occur anytime soon. IF any of them have a shot, it is the DH. Hitters are already adjusting to beat the shift, just not in the way most people would think. So there is no reason to ban the shift.
fivethirtyeight.com/features/dont-worry-mlb-hitter…
You’re right, but let’s not pretend Manfred uses research and data to make his decisions.
I feel like a ban on the shift is overboard anyhow. Maybe just put limitations on how far over fielders can go. Like that the shortstop either can’t go on the right side of the second base bag or something. But hitters should be challenged to adjust. I feel like some of the rule changes proposed are to strongly trying to favor the hitters. (Lowering the mound, banning the shift, DH in the NL) All favor the offensive side of baseball.
I’d rather just ban dead pull hitters. I see no reason why they need special consideration in the first place.
Agree
They’ve been shifting for decades, just not as extreme as current teams. The biggest difference is the mentality of the modern hitters/coaches. The reason they didn’t shift as often or as extreme years ago, was hitters were always taught to hit the other way, which immediately makes the shift counter-productive. Hitters used to take offense to a team shifting on them because it’s basically saying you’re not good enough to find the holes. But as stupid as it sounds, today’s hitters are told to play to their strengths. They honestly think it’s a good game plan to hit “over” the shift. They play with their egos instead of their heads.
You can say what you want, but in professional sports, winning has become secondary to the almighty home run (which is just another term for the almighty dollar)
None of those changes are coming before 2022 if at all. The players have been speaking with their union reps and a strike this summer is not out of the question and it’s almost a certainty in 2022.
There is 0% there is a strike this Summer.
He is right. You should listen to what the players are saying, especially player reps like Wainwright, Martinez, and Verlander. Players are ticked off and as the union continues talking to teams this spring, the sentiment they are hearing is universal. A strike is not likely this summer, but its pretty much a foregone conclusion in 2022.
And i’ll stand by my statement that there is 0% chance of a strike this Summer.
Every time a CBA expiration closes in, the chances of a strike or lockout rise. This isn’t a new phenomenon. If i were to put a percentage on it of happening after the 2021 season, i’d say it’s at about 60%. There are 3 seasons to go before that and a lot can be worked out in that time frame. Player reps moan all the time. After the next CBA is in place, they’ll still moan.
weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/jd-martinez-new-…
Listen to it.
Read this – charlotteobserver.com/sports/article226576239.html
“Unless something changes, there’s going to be a strike, 100 percent,” Wainwright told Tim McKernan of InsideSTL.com. “I’m just worried people are going to walk out midseason.”
twitter.com/tmckernan/status/1096461256242929665
Pull your head out and go read what they have been saying. That guy just gave you a pretty good start on it. As a former player I have resources and contacts you don’t have. He is correct and there is a chance of a strike this year and it’s pretty certain that it will happen in 2022 if the owners do not step up to the plate with changes to FA, major league minimum salaries, and arbitration. Since that is unlikely, a strike is a certainty.
@koamalu Don’t worry about it. People like that think they understand what is going on, but refuse to listen to what the players and union leader themselves are saying. I don’t think there will be a strike this summer, but unless major changes are made I can guarantee one in 2022.
I give it one more off-season. If teams continue to refuse to spend, that’ll be the breaking point.
Can always tell the people that don’t actually read the articles on this site. Player after player has been saying how angry the players are, but some yahoo on here says zero % chance of a strike. Go read Martiniez’s comments today. Go read what Wainwrights said earlier this week.
Try reading my full comment, yahoo. 0% this Summer.
Yeah no chance they are going to strike this far from the next CBA
Try listening to Wainwright’s comments. He is a player rep with the union. I would be willing to go out on a limb and say he knows far more about the situation than you do.
How do you know i haven’t read and heard what some reps are saying? By your insistence, you seem to believe a strike this Summer is imminent. They are talking about past this season when time starts whittling down. But you and your cohorts are screaming that the sky is falling. There are 3 seasons before the current CBA even expires, so yeah, there is 0% chance a strike happens this Summer.
If the players strike while there’s a union ratified collective bargaining agreement they are in violation of U.S. labor law. It’s not only illegal to strike while the union has an active agreement it’s utterly stupid. It tells management that they should never bargain with players again because they won’t bargain in good faith and will strike whenever they want.
MLB will ask a judge to order the players back to work and the judge will do so. If players refuse to go back to work,
MLB will ask the judge to invalidate the collective bargaining agreement and have the right to impose their own rules. Since players will be saying that they can invalidate an agreed upon collective bargaining agreement at will, the judge will like likely agree with that too.
There is a 0% chance players will strike before the CBA expires. Wainwright is saying that they will strike once it expires and that they could walkout mid-season 2022. Wainwright will be retired by then, so his pronouncements shouldn’t hold much weight anyway.
Your comments pretty much says it all. You are not paying attention and are unwilling to listen to what the players are saying. You think you know it all. How is that working out for you?
Koamalu, what exactly about existing labor law did Coast1 get wrong?
The players can strike, but they are extremely fortunate that their contracts are guaranteed, unlike the NFL. Some of these guys are absolutely getting away with murder with the garbage production they’re giving.
The SF Giants would probably cut just about every player they have.
It’s true, there are plenty of terrible players on guaranteed money out there. The problem is the shift in approach by front offices, where they have done two things:
1. Realized that players over 32/33 are, by and large, not very good anymore.
2. Decided not to spend their payroll on these older players anymore
Number 2 has violated the “gentleman’s agreement” that, once a player has toiled through the minor leagues, played under team for control for six years (3 at league minimum), they get a chance to sign a contract that makes up for the value they provided in the past.
I’m happy to have front offices change their approach. Younger players in general, are better and more fun to watch. But ownership needs to make changes to the length of team control and salary levels early on if this route, where being over 32 or near it severely limits your earning potential, is the path they want to take.
There will be a lot of challenges to major changes, including some players who have reached free agency for the first time and are ready to cash in. If more payroll is shifted towards younger players, their share of the pie dwindles. Tony Clark has a lot of hard work cut out for himself….
There’s literally no new info in this article. Anything to talk about Bryce Harper. Unbelievable…
No news is good news I was always told ahaha
“but after struggling through two short stints in the majors the last two seasons, Barreto’s future in Oakland is muddled”
He was 21 and 22 in those two seasons, relax.
Get rid of the shift! And rather than the NL adopting the DH, I’d rather see the AL lose the DH. I want to see more variables in the game.
Variables are boring I want homers and strikeouts.
To be fair, pitchers strike out a lot. Lol
The increases in home runs and strikeouts are what is making the game longer and boring and why casual fans are not coming to games or watching on TV. Fans want to see action and that means putting the ball in play.
How does having pitchers hitting do that then?
Home runs are exciting…
I guess Harpers Defense took a turn last year? Is that right?
..perhaps saving his body for free agency?
in the past the expression ” just wait till next year” was heard in July or august or even September or October.. Now it is heard before seasons.. Just wait til next decade.. meanwhile support us with you patronage because we have you fooled..
Trading baretto, fowler or canha for pitching
If those rule changes happen I won’t be watching baseball anymore
Rob Manfred and pace of play: A love story
I was watching the Nationals vs Cardinals game today and the talking heads mentioned that an overwhelming portion of older fans hate the DH for the NL. and younger fans favor it and
MLB Should be careful not to antagonize the older fans. I thought capturing younger fans was the priority though?
The rule change they need to be thinking about, and start implementing is removing the ability for batters to wear all that protective gear on their bodies while batting. Since they’ve been able to wear that stuff, they no longer fear getting hit by pitchers, so they can crowd the plate. And since the pitchers have to adjust to that, they’ve been working on new ways to throw harder / more spin and that’s the reason we are seeing so many pitchers have tommy John surgery!!! Ban the wrist and forearm guards!
If those changes happen baseball will no longer be baseball. Over regulated nonsense. No shifts? Pitch clocks? 3 better minimums? What is this little league? Baseball has plenty of fans to sustain it, the problem here is the wall street style ownership needing constant growth and profit. Need to take baseball back.
On a slow news day you write about Salisbury’s articles. Salisbury is a homer and I don’t pay attention to what he says. I don’t think the NL Owners will go for the DH.
Harper is going to sign with the Giants. He’s had multiple 10/300 offers, and hasn’t signed one.
Of the teams “still in” the Harper race (San Diego, San Fran and Philly) …the only “hitters park” is Philly. If he wants to get to the HOF I’d imagine he’d want to play in a ball park that’s hitter friendly. Sure, the weather is better elsewhere but if he wants to pad the numbers, Philly is the place. He’s easily hitting 40+ HRs in Philly. Maybe 25-28 in SD about the same or maybe a few more in SF.
He personally has said good things about the ballpark and fans as recently as 2 years ago. I think the “he doesn’t want to play in Philly” is Boras trying to get more money. Notice it came out RIGHT after Machado signed.
Philly and DC rate the as far as hitting HRs.
How do you know those are the only teams still talking to Harper? Who are you? Sources? lol people don’t know.
I don’t know about that…
I seem to remember another left handed home run hitter that had quite a bit of success in SF…as much as I hate to admit it, I think Harper would own mccovey cove
The stadium was literally designed for a hitter with nearly the exact same skill set
all true, except Bryce is not Barry
I am tired of seeing this DH in NL crap. IF it happens, then I will stop watching baseball. Baseball was built on pitchers hitting and it should resume that away. If the DH come into effect in the NL, might as well make it one league since there won’t be any differences between the leagues anymore.
I have always believed DH has been bad for baseball. Having a “part-time” player hitting only, makes the game less strategically. Baseball is a game of chess. The manager makes or breaks the team of a win. AL is dull with their DH and less strategy. It makes 9 innings and 3 and half hours later, painful to watch and endure. NL has double switches that can add defensive player into games that are close. AL, to rely on hopes of a big offense surge. Sure NL burns through pitchers in a game, but that makes it interesting when managers make calls to the bullpen or moving position players around. AL, you get the boring 9 players hitting all 9 inning and a pitching change later. What strategy do you get in the AL? AL is just a simple mans game and anyone can manage any AL team. I call the AL “lazy mans game”.
NL should leave out the DH and continue what they have always been doing. Any rule changes should be stricter penalties for throwing at a batter. I think the league is too soft on this and needs to address it as pitchers are beginning to throw harder. I also believe the league needs to force clubs to put more money into teams. I think the ceiling floor for seasonal payroll, should be 100 million. Failure to provide minimum of 100 million seasonal payroll results of fines and loss of first and second round draft picks. I realize young players need a shot at the big leagues too, but I see teams putting the worst possible team on the field for under 100 million dollars to get a top draft pick. If this continues, I think baseball clubs should draw a draft number from the hat to avoid “tanking”. I think “tanking” the season is bad for baseball and should be addressed and penalized.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. MLB should also raise the mound to what it was before Bob Gibson’s monster year in 1968(?)…
Nobody with a glove in need of “rebounding” should make the money some team is going to pay Harper.
There are a few typos in this article you might want to fix. “He’ll be 23 this season, slated to begin the year R Triple A where’s he has played…”
The longer this goes,Philly should be nervous
The elimination of the shift is stupid another way for baseball to screw the defense you want to stop the shift learn to bunt you will be a .600 avg hitter stupid MLB
The current situation cuts both ways. Owners have a ton of bad contracts to point to that shows they have been overpaying for a lot of players. They aren’t spending and are pocketing more and that’s not fair either. If they were lowering ticket, merchandise, food, drink and parking prices then that would be easier to accept. Younger players need to make more, sooner and get into the big payday in their mid 20’s so teams are t essentially paying them in their 30’s for the performance given in their 20’s.
What is Zaidi supposed to do? He took over an older team with multiple bad contracts. Throwing 300+ million at Harper doesn’t solve the problem. He’s added a ton of guys from the scrap heap and 1-2 are bound to pan out. Duggar is the CF’er and Williamson most likely plays left. Slater or one of the NRI’s will play right. If the veteran players can stay healthy and have decent seasons, they’ll be fine. They have a strong bullpen and I believe the starting pitching will be a plus. Play out these bad contracts and keep adding pieces. That being said, if they are out at the break, the fire sale commences and they start restocking with young talent sooner rather than later