As part of a wide-ranging proposal to the MLB Players Association, Major League Baseball is prepared to abandon the use of a pitch clock until at least 2022, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports.
MLB is also proposing a three-batter minimum for pitchers, roster size changes, limitations on position-player usage as pitchers, getting rid of the non-waiver trading period, further cutting mound visits and potentially shortening inning breaks, sources told Passan.
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, could unilaterally implement a 20-second pitch clock, but is leveraging that by saying he will not consider it until after the 2021 season in the latest bargaining session. The most controversial aspect of the proposal is easily the three-batter minimum for pitchers, the idea of which is to increase the pace and speed of play.
“It aims to end the carousel of relief pitchers that has become so commonplace late in games,” Passan writes. “Under the proposal, the league would have the right to implement the rule — which has a caveat for injured pitchers — in 2020.”
“That year, rosters also would be expanded by one to 26 players, with a maximum of 13 pitchers, according to sources,” Passan continues. “While the league’s proposal includes a mandated 28-man roster with a 14-pitcher cap in September, the union has chafed at limiting roster sizes when teams currently can use as many as 40 players in the month’s final season.”
You can read more details about the proposed deal here, as there are many different ideas being discussed. Right now, tensions are high between MLB and the Players Association because of how the free agent market has developed this offseason, as well as last.
