Whenever a position player takes the mound, it's usually entertaining. Normally, position players only pitch in one of two situations. The first is in the late innings of blowouts, which brings some levity into the proceedings and gives people a reason to stick around. The second is in long extra inning games when the managers are out of relievers and don't have much of a choice. That's when you keep watching, no matter how late it is, because (a) you're too invested in the game by that point or (b) you sense it coming.
Even in this era of eight- or nine-man bullpens, position players made a record number of pitching appearances last season, and they're on track to come near that number again this year. This is what happens when teams use "openers" instead of starting pitchers and they're down to their last two relievers in the seventh inning!
MLB doesn't like this abundance of pitching position players. For a number of reasons. In fact, they don't like it to the point that they're putting in rules next year telling teams when they're allowed to do it. There's also going to be a roster restriction on the number of pitchers teams can carry (which I never thought would be necessary, but absolutely is), so they'll have to designate everybody as one or the other prior to the season (an exception will be made for Shohei Ohtani).
This is one of just several rule changes MLB is planning on adopting next season, many of which involve pitching. Although, the shenanigans that the Tampa Bay Rays pulled against the Red Sox the other day got me thinking: If they're going to put in a rule limiting position players pitching, wouldn't it stand to reason that they should also implement a rule that does the reverse?
First, a refresher on the Rays-Red Sox game. Tampa Bay brought in lefty Adam Kolarek to start the eighth, and he promptly got Sam Travis to pop out. Mookie Betts, a right-handed hitter, was up next, so the Rays dropped their DH, moved Kolarek to first base, and brought in a righty to face Betts. After Betts flew out, they brought in an actual first baseman and Kolarek went back to the mound to face the left-handed Rafael Devers.
Are you confused yet? So were the Red Sox! It took 15 minutes for the umpires to explain what was going on to Boston manager Alex Cora, and he said afterwards that he was going to protest the game. The Red Sox ended up not protesting, mainly because what Tampa Bay did was completely legal (just poorly communicated). But that doesn't mean it should be.
Now, Tampa Bay isn't the only culprit, so they don't deserve all of the blame here. The Rays have done it a few times this season, in fact. And National League teams regularly do it (although in the National League it's far less confusing since there's no DH involved). The Cardinals had some sort of pitcher-left field tag team going for a few innings a couple years ago, and Joe Maddon manages the Cubs (and used to manage the Rays), so you know he has to have done it at least once. I can even remember a time when the Yankees put Bryan Mitchell at first base in order to keep him in the game (and he promptly dropped an easy popup).
So, my problem is less with teams taking advantage of a rule than the fact that the rule exists in the first place. Because there's no place for it in the Major Leagues! Sure, a lot of college pitchers also play other positions when they aren't pitching, and you often see the closer come in from right field. But this isn't college! This is the Major Leagues! Once these guys get to the pros, they're either hitters or pitchers! And they make it to the Majors as one or the other. Not both!
Why do I dislike this rule so much? Well, let me tell you. For starters, I'm not a fan of the gamesmanship. The other team might have to burn a pinch hitter, etc., only for the original pitcher to come right back in. Also, baseball has forever been a sport with no reentry. So once you make a pitching change, that's it. Why should he be able to pitch again after coming out just because he's technically still in the game? It also effectively gives a team unlimited pitching changes, with the pitcher receiving the full allotment of warm-ups each time.
Also, how come nobody talks about the injury factor? Pitchers don't play positions. Sure, they may shag fly balls during batting practice, but that's vastly different than playing the field during a game. (And how many pitchers immediately run out of the way every time there's a popup in the infield?) If one of the reasons they don't want position players pitching is because of injury concerns, why aren't they worried about it the other way? Not to mention how marginalized you make the three bench guys you do have by using a pitcher at a position in a non-emergency situation.
If National League teams want to use a pitcher to pinch hit or pinch run so they don't have to burn a regular player (or because they're out of position players), be my guest. Likewise, if somebody gets hurt and a pitcher's all you've got left, you don't really have much of a choice. But when you're putting them in the field, and the only reason you're doing it is to be cute with your pitching changes, I have a problem with it.
I've been asked (by someone who's fine with the rule) what the difference between that and someone moving from third base to first base is. Frankly, I don't think you can even make that comparison. For starters, many position players play multiple positions. That's the whole point of a utility infielder. Beyond that, though, repositioning your infielders isn't remotely the same as making a pitching change! That's why teams carry 13 pitchers to begin with.
Another one of the rule changes they're likely going to implement next season is a three-batter minimum for relievers. I can't wait for this to take effect and the nonstop parade of relievers to end! Hopefully that'll end things like what the Rays did the other day, as well. Although, in light of that, they may have to rewrite the language to say three consecutive batters.
Either way, something needs to be done about pitchers playing another position for a batter, then going back to pitching. Because, even though it doesn't happen a lot, it's still a problem that needs to be addressed. It's a rule that's been exploited. And it's one that doesn't have a place in today's game.
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