3-batter rule expected to be OK'd by MLB owners

[Auggie]

Tribe manager Terry Francona not in favor of new rule


MLB owners are expected to approve rule changes for the 2020 season that were unveiled last year by Commissioner Rob Manfred and the players association when they gather in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday for meetings.

One of those changes will require starting and relief pitchers to face at least three batters or pitch to the end of a half inning before being removed. Francona loves to play matchup with his relievers – one lefty for one left-handed hitter, one righty for one right-handed hitter.

“It bothers me so much when they tell you how to compete,” Francona told reporters in September.

He said the rule would favor clubs with big payrolls who can afford to sign the top relievers capable of pitching one or more innings.

MORE: https://www.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2019/11/b450ac7add4979/titos-dismay-3batter-rule-expected-to-be-okd-by-mlb-owners-the-week-in-baseball.html

Francona: “You’re going to give the big-market team a huge advantage because they’re going to go out and get the guys who throw full innings. We’re piecing it (an inning) together and we should be allowed to.”

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This is MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's middle finger salute to small market teams. MLB and the networks are empowering cash cows like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, etc. to continue to dominate.

I hate Manfred.

[luvs2sing]

1. More Manfred bullshit.

I hate him, too.

[Docreed2003]

2. This is BS.

Let the managers make the strategic calls in game, that's always been a part of the game. Why hamstring them like this?

[Kurt V.]

3. well that's crap.

[exboyfil]

4. I stopped watching baseball 20 years ago

I have to wonder if I would even recognize the game today.

I admit I did watch the end of the Cubs Game 7 World Series.

[brewens]

5. The last strike and performance enhancing drugs got me a long time ago. Soon

there will be hall of famers I never heard of like with the NBA.

[PJMcK]

7. Check out your local minor league team

For years, when I lived on Long Island in New York, my son and I attended the Long Island Ducks games. The crowd is close to the field, the baseball is pretty good and it's a hell of a lot less expensive.

[exboyfil]

8. We have an organization below minor league

The last two times I went, my young daughters got to experience watching drunks behave like fools.

In one case someone passing out and urinating on themselves.

In the other case two women sexually harassing a ballplayer.

My daughters were pre-teen at the time (around 8 to 10 if I remember correctly). That was around fifteen years ago. I have access to free tickets sometimes. I have never taken them up on the offer.

[PJMcK]

9. That's too bad

The Ducks games we went to were really wonderful family events. There were entertainment activities between the innings and often those would be funny little competitions featuring fans from the stands.

In contrast, I've seen the behavior you described at Mets games. Too much alcohol brings out the worst in people.

[The Polack MSgt]

6. This is nonsense. Francona is right on all points. nt

[Ohiogal]

10. Utter nonsense!!!!!!!!!!

I'm getting so sick and tired of MLB pandering to the occasional fan who many find the game too slow or boring. Pitching matchups are part of the game, fer cryin out loud!!!!!