National League DH's

Assuming they're able to work out all the financials and other details, the 2020 baseball season will look very different, and not just because it'll be half as long as a normal season.  National League purists aren't going to like it, but the universal DH seems like it's a done deal for 2020.  Does that signal a move to a permanent change once the CBA expires after the 2021 season?  Perhaps.  But I think it's something that everyone within the game expects is going to happen eventually (despite the protestations of NL fans).

I'm not trying to start the DH debate here.  I've always been pro-DH, but that's irrelevant.  The fact is it's been around for 50 years and isn't going anywhere, so the anti-DH crowd really just needs to get over it.  And this temporary rule change could very well be a test-run to see how it goes over.  If it goes well, the NL DH could be here sooner than any of us were expecting.

Let's just focus on 2020 for a minute, though.  Because that's a MASSIVE change!  Some NL teams have issues finding a DH for interleague road games.  Now they're gonna have to find one for the entire season.  Others have an abundance of options, so they'll enjoy not having to put a terrible fielder on defense.  There are some pitchers who are decent hitters, too, and will now have their bats taken out of the lineup.  It's a massive strategy shift that could have a bearing on who ends up making the playoffs.

It's too late for teams to make any major roster adjustments, and once the second "Spring" Training begins, the focus will be solely on getting as prepared as possible as quickly as possible for the abbreviated season.  Which means they'll have to find a DH among the guys currently on the team.  That'll be easier for some teams than others.  Some National League teams are built to play NL-style ball and didn't factor a DH into their plans for this season.

Fortunately, finding a DH isn't as hard as it sounds.  Most NL teams carry a guy whose main role is to be their first pinch-hitter, so giving him four at-bats a game instead of one seems to be a pretty easy solution.  With that in mind, here's my guess as to who would be each National League team's "regular" DH for the 2020 season, whenever it starts...

Braves: Nick Markakis-The signing of Marcell Ozuna was going to push Markakis into a fourth-outfielder role.  Now he'll have the chance to stay in the lineup and the Braves can still start that very strong trio of Ozuna, Inciarte and Acuna in the outfield.  Likewise, Markakis can play right and one of those three can DH without Atlanta losing much.

Marlins: Matt Joyce-Honestly, Derek Jeter is probably the Marlins' best option at DH.  But...they did sign veteran outfielders Matt Kemp and Matt Joyce, neither of whom is actually a good outfielder anymore and both seem like pinch-hit options more than anything else.  As such, I think one of the Matts DH's.  I'll say Joyce because he's left-handed.

Mets: Dominic Smith-This is one NL team that would likely welcome the universal DH.  They have about 12 guys that need at-bats and only eight spots available in the lineup.  Dominic Smith is one of those guys.  He's a first baseman, but with Pete Alonso there, they were sticking him in left field last year.  Being able to make him the DH solves that problem.

Phillies: Jay Bruce-Jay Bruce belongs in the American League.  He can't play the outfield anymore, and he can't really play first base (espeically with Rhys Hoskins there).  But he can still hit.  Thus, it's an easy call to make him the Phillies' DH.

Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman-Zimmerman got no interest in the offseason, so he returned to Washington even though they singed Eric Thames to play first base.  The franchise icon will at least still have the opportunity to contribute more than once a game if he's DHing.

Cubs: Kyle Schwarber-Schwarber is technically the Cubs' starting left fielder, but a move to DH wouldn't shock me.  After all, they activated him for the 2016 World Series even though he was still injured and couldn't play the field specifically because they wanted him to DH in Cleveland.  And his defense in left hasn't exactly improved since then either.

Reds: Shogo Akiyama-Cincinnati went all-in on this year, bringing in about six different lineup pieces.  One of them was Akiyama, the Japanese outfielder who isn't even projected to start.  This solves that problem.  (They could also put Akiyama in center and move Nick Senzel to second if Mike Moustakas struggles defensively.)

Brewers: Ryan Braun-Milwaukee signed Avisail Garcia, which shifted Braun over to first base, where he's a complete novice.  They also have to actual first basemen on the roster in Justin Smoak and Logan Morrison.  Sounds like DH is the perfect position for Braun, then.

Pirates: Guillermo Heredia-Honestly, I have no idea.  Like the Marlins, the Pirates have a lot of young, unknown players.  Guillermo Heredia came over from the Rays and will likely serve as a backup outfielder, so I'll go with him.

Cardinals: Matt Carpenter-With the Cardinals, you never really know when there's a rookie coming up to take somebody's position and knock a veteran to the bench.  It seems like Matt Carpenter is a candidate to fall into that category.  Jose Martinez may be in the same boat.  So, one of them would probably end up being the DH.

Diamondbacks: Jake Lamb-Knowing Madison Bumgarner, he'll campaign to hit for himself on the days he pitches even if there is a DH, like the Giants let him do once in Oakland.  On all other days, though, former All-Star Jake Lamb seems to be a likely DH candidate.

Rockies: Ian Desmond-When they made the playoffs two years ago, the Rockies had an abundance of potential DH's.  Nowadays, not so much.  Although, I'm surprised they don't have a regular place in the lineup for Ian Desmond.  He'd be a good DH for multiple reasons.  He's adept at both first base and in the outfield, so you could put him in the field and spread the DH at-bats around, too.

Dodgers: Joc Pederson-Mookie Betts moved either A.J. Pollock or Pederson to the bench.  Pollock is a much better defender, while Pederson is a better hitter, so that looked to be a tough decision for Dave Roberts each game.  Giving him a DH solves that problem.  Pollock can play left and Pederson can DH.  Or Pederson can play left and Bellinger can DH.  Or Bellinger can play first and Muncy can DH.  It's nice to have options!

Padres: Brian Dozier-You know how the Padres have gone a little nuts signing free agent hitters over the past few offseasons?  Here's where it works to their benefit.  I'm not saying Brian Dozier because I think he'll DH more than a few times a week.  I'm going with him because he'll be the extra starter who gets into the lineup while Jurickson Profar moves around and Manny Machado, Wil Myers and Tommy Pham all get turns at DH.

Giants: Hunter Pence-Wilmer Flores is listed as the backup at virtually every infield position, and Kung Fu Panda is, incredibly, still on the roster.  DH really seems to be the only position he can play at this point, but I'm not sure he makes the team.  So instead I'm putting Billy Hamilton's glove in center, moving Mike Yastrzemski to right and letting Hunter Pence do what he does best.  Hit.