Hardball Times: Expansion

[mdbdotcom]

The shift should eventually give rise to players who can hit to all fields.

[ExileAngelos]

Hey Hardball Times: Some of us enjoy this brand of baseball.

[33rdst]

Of course it is hurting offense. So are sliders.

Seriously if a batter's strategy is to pull the ball every time he comes up why shouldn't the defense be able to counter that strategy?

Good to see you have your sense of humor back. But my initial comment was made in the context of declining offense. Look at the number of shifts that have need employed since 2010.

2010-2,464

2014- 13,789

[Can_of_corn]

Good to see you have your sense of humor back. But my initial comment was made in the context of declining offense. Look at the number of shifts that have need employed since 2010.

2010-2,464

2014- 13,789

I don't think legislating out strategy is the right way to fix the problem (if you think there is a problem). Attacking the strike zone will garner far better results and has been the accepted strategy used in the past.

[33rdst]

I don't think legislating out strategy is the right way to fix the problem (if you think there is a problem). Attacking the strike zone will garner far better results and has been the accepted strategy used in the past.

Here's Verducci's article.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/22/shifts-rule-change-lefthanded-batters-david-ortiz

He makes a good argument for banning the shift. For me eliminating the shift would be the quickest solution to the declining offense issue. I agree with you that another way to approach the problem would be to normalize a smaller strike zone. I certainly don't agree that the answer is to expand by two to four teams. That's the proverbial "killing a fly with a sledgehammer".

[Can_of_corn]

Here's Verducci's article.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/22/shifts-rule-change-lefthanded-batters-david-ortiz

He makes a good argument for banning the shift. For me eliminating the shift would be the quickest solution to the declining offense issue. I agree with you that another way to approach the problem would be to normalize a smaller strike zone. I certainly don't agree that the answer is to expand by two to four teams. That's the proverbial "killing a fly with a sledgehammer".

I counter with:

http://www.billjamesonline.com/how_do_shifts_affect_league-wide_babip_/

Season BABIP Shifts

2014 .299 13,789 (projected)

2013 .297 8,134

2012 .297 4,577

2011 .295 2,357

2010 .297 2,464

2009 .299

2008 .300

2007 .303

2006 .301

2005 .295

Explain to me again how shifts are hurting offense?

Shifts target a small percentage of players that can't be bothered to develop a well rounded offensive game.

They don't appear to appreciably hurt BABIP overall.

[waroriole]

Of course it is hurting offense. So are sliders.

Seriously if a batter's strategy is to pull the ball every time he comes up why shouldn't the defense be able to counter that strategy?

Natural evolution seems to be that contact, control hitters become more valuable and common. Guys who refuse to go against the shift might get run out of the league soon.

[eddie83]

MLB Network had a roundtable show about a month ago and this was one of the topics. Lot of interesting ideas. I think banning the shift is flat out stupid, it is a strategy just like bringing the infield in. The game times are longer but offense is down and that is not a good combination. On that show it was pointed out how much fastball velocity has increased.

I wonder if MLB increased roster sizes to say like 27 if we would see more platoons and if that would have an impact?, albeit a minimal one. You can only platoon so much with a 12 man pitching staff. I still think position players get worn down more than pitchers and they can't take amphetamines any more. Of course it would cost the owners money.

[Ohfan67]

I attack sliders because they look like fastballs then move late. For some batters it makes them swing and miss.

Ha! Great line. I chuckled out loud.

[Ohfan67]

By the way, I find this new run environment very entertaining. It's nice to see pitchers dominate for a while and it's fun to have to rethink what's a valuable offensive contribution, etc.

[Larry18]

MLB Network had a roundtable show about a month ago and this was one of the topics. Lot of interesting ideas. I think banning the shift is flat out stupid, it is a strategy just like bringing the infield in. The game times are longer but offense is down and that is not a good combination. On that show it was pointed out how much fastball velocity has increased.

I wonder if MLB increased roster sizes to say like 27 if we would see more platoons and if that would have an impact?, albeit a minimal one. You can only platoon so much with a 12 man pitching staff. I still think position players get worn down more than pitchers and they can't take amphetamines any more. Of course it would cost the owners money.

I think the 7 man bullpen effects the offense as much as the stiff,maybe more.

[Can_of_corn]

MLB Network had a roundtable show about a month ago and this was one of the topics. Lot of interesting ideas. I think banning the shift is flat out stupid, it is a strategy just like bringing the infield in. The game times are longer but offense is down and that is not a good combination. On that show it was pointed out how much fastball velocity has increased.

I wonder if MLB increased roster sizes to say like 27 if we would see more platoons and if that would have an impact?, albeit a minimal one. You can only platoon so much with a 12 man pitching staff. I still think position players get worn down more than pitchers and they can't take amphetamines any more. Of course it would cost the owners money.

And if they use the two additional slots for specialist relief pitchers?

[25 Nuggets]

Hey Hardball Times: Some of us enjoy this brand of baseball.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Don't be a shill HBT. I can see the argument for 32 teams for scheduling purposes, even number in each league and all... but not beyond that. That population graph reminds me too much of a business model.

Maybe we should think about decreasing population growth in the country? Never mind, not baseball's problem.

[eddie83]

And if they use the two additional slots for specialist relief pitchers?

Of course they could do that. Going back to the early 80's would players like Jim Dwyer and Benny Ayala be in the majors right now? I don't have any great answers. If you keep too many pitchers they won't get enough work to be effective.

[eddie83]

I think the 7 man bullpen effects the offense as much as the stiff,maybe more.

And if teams had better benches to combate that it might help some.