Rob Manfred Says He'll Encourage Owners to Pass 3-Batter Minimum Rule for 2020
By Parker White
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is (eternally) looking to make some drastic changes in the game, and one of the new rules he's looking to implement soon is the three-batter minimum for entering relievers.
While he's not officially casting a vote per se, the commissioner made it clear prior to Tuesday's All-Star festivities that he'd like the league's owners to pass the mandate this upcoming winter.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said he's inclined to encourage the owners to pass the three-batter minimum rule for pitchers in 2020.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 9, 2019
It's certainly different and it'll take managers and pitchers some getting used to, but there could be a real benefit in implementing this rule, even if all it does is make the game a better product to watch.
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon hates the rule and thinks it takes away "strategy," but there's still plenty of decision-making involved, as managers have to game plan farther ahead, without the safety valve of pulling a pitcher who can't retire opposite-hand batters at the first sign of trouble.
Manfred said he’s inclined to encourage owners to stick with plan to implement three-batter minimum for pitchers.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 9, 2019
Does it eliminate the specialist who can only get lefties out? Yes, sure, but why don't we promote pitchers who can face all hitters and get more than one guy out? Seems like a good idea to me.