What MLB players and managers are saying about the rule changes for 2023
Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an electronic pitch/pace of play clock in use during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
By The Athletic MLB Staff
Sep 11, 2022
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Major League Baseball’s competition committee approved a slate of rule changes that will go into effect for the 2023 season. The changes include the implementation of a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts and larger bases.
The new rules sparked varied reactions from around the league. The Players Association had four seats on the 11-person committee, and all four voted against two of the three measures — the ban on the shift and the pitch timer. The larger bases were approved unanimously.
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Giants owner Greg Johnson, who was on the competition committee, said he was surprised by the results of the vote.
“Despite the vote, I would say the dialogue was very collaborative, very positive, very respectful,” Johnson told The Athletic. “It wasn’t like you were in a battle going back and forth. People tried to be very thoughtful in this process.
“I think everybody on the committee agreed with the spirit of these rules. It just seemed like we got bogged down on a couple of nuances or subtleties. If the players brought up six items, we probably compromised on five of them, and didn’t on the sixth, and that resulted in the vote going the other way.”
Here is a sampling of opinions from players and managers around baseball:
Charlie Blackmon, Rockies outfielder/DH: “I’m actually very against how it’s happening. It helps left-handed hitters like me. But anytime you have the boss implement something against the will of the players, that’s not good for the game of baseball. … It would be really great if we could have arrived at a conclusion together, with compromise. That would have been nice. It sounds like something we should have addressed in the (collective bargaining agreement), which, I guess is our fault as players. But it seems contrary to the whole spring training goodwill tour our guy took.
“I’ll tell you what, if we’re trying to bring more new fans to the game, adding a whole bunch of shot clocks and special rules like that is probably not really conducive to learning about the game.”
Austin Slater, Giants outfielder and member of the competition committee: “We are disappointed that more of our feedback wasn’t included in the final proposal. But players will adjust as we always do. At the end of the day, these changes will improve our sport and hopefully be viewed positively by fans.”
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Brandon Hyde, Orioles manager: “I think it’s going to better the fan experience. I think it is going to better the player experience on the field — I’m hoping.
“The other sports have made a lot of changes in recent years and have made adjustments, and it’s nice to see our guys, the league and the players and the umpires, come together and try to better the game for the fans and the players.”
Caleb Ferguson, Dodgers LHP: “I think it’s gonna be really good. I think the pace of play and everything they’re trying to accomplish is gonna be great. But I think they need to change it, or do something to where it can’t dictate a game, late in the game.”
Donnie Ecker, Rangers hitting coach: “My thoughts are that I’m less concerned with how I feel about a rule and I’m more concerned with what is the rule, so we can take advantage of the rule as quickly as possible.”
What do you think of the pitch clock?
Joe Barlow, Rangers RHP: “I hate the pitch clock. Not because of the time necessarily — to speed up the game, I think that’s reasonable. But for the penalty to be a ball or a strike … I’m imagining winning a World Series on a ball four because the pitcher took too long. I think if they really wanted to do it. I think you (should) probably go with fines. Fine guys. I just don’t think you can make a rule up that genuinely affects the outcome of the game.”
Ferguson: “I think I’m a fan of it. I think the problem you’re gonna run into is that it can dictate a game. I think for me, the pace of play is going to be great. Whenever I was like, in the middle of my rehab assignment (in the minors), there was a 17-1 game, and it was under three hours. … But I also saw it dictate a game. … All closers take a long time. But those are the hardest three outs to get in the game. So take the time that you need to get them.”
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Josh Sborz, Rangers RHP: “You gotta have a good catcher, that’s really what it’s gonna come back to. I didn’t have a problem with the clock once I got used to it, but it’s because I trusted the catchers. It’s gonna be more shocking for hitters because now they only get five seconds to get in that box. You have career guys that have played for eight-plus years and they’ve done the same routine for God knows how long; I think that change might mess them up, too.”
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Alex Vesia, Dodgers LHP: “I’ve asked a couple of my buddies who are in the minor leagues, and they say that it’s definitely fast. The only thing that is tough is if you’re three balls, two strikes and you don’t know what pitch you want to throw, and the clock times out. That’s ball four? You’re now predicting the game.”
Jonathan Hernández, Rangers RHP: “I don’t think it’s going to affect me because you just have to prepare mentally for it. Sometimes you take your time because you know you have it, but now with the pitch clock, you have a certain amount of time, so I don’t think it’s gonna be a big effect; we just have to be comfortable with it.”
Jonah Heim, Rangers catcher: “The two throw-over (rule) is definitely going to be challenging. I know they’re trying to get some offense going. Some excitement, base-stealing stuff, but as a catcher, we already kind of have a hard time with this because guys are outrageously fast and they’ve got all the data in the world. So it’s gonna make our lives a little harder, but I guess it just means you’re gonna work harder.
Corey Seager (Nick Turchiaro / USA Today Sports)
Is Seager the happiest about the shift rule?
Corey Seager, Rangers shortstop: (laughing after being shown this tweet) “So it sounds like I want the shift to be banned.
“I think it’s two-sided. You’re excited about it offensively, obviously — especially now that you’ve told me it was that many (hits taken away by it). But then again, you think about the defensive side, and how much it is beneficial.
“I just think that it becomes more important (with) the personnel you pick. Now, third baseman, first baseman, it’s becoming more important, because you only do have two people on the same side (of the infield). First base, especially, because (in the shift) they just guard the line, you can throw somebody way out there (in right-center field). And you don’t really know how they are defensively because if it’s not hit at them, they go to the bag. So I think it just changes the game for them more mentally, knowing that I have to go both ways now.”
How will banning the shift impact the game?
Terry Francona, Guardians manager: “I do worry about the shifting thing that … the unintended consequences. Like are you rewarding guys that just pull the ball instead of trying to get back to using the whole field? Like I keep hearing people say, ‘Guys are tired of hitting into the shift.’ Then hit the ball the other way. There are solutions other than just lift and separate.”
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