MLB: 3 Radical Rule Changes To Solve NL DH Problem

How to fix MLB designated hitter rule: 2) Cap the number of times teams can use DH per week

This MLB twist on the universal DH is really just a variation of the one just proposed with one key wrinkle.

Limit the number of days per week teams can use the DH. Four out of seven feels right.

In this case, the Madison Bumgarners of the world are still able to hit, as it would make zero sense for teams to take the bat out of the hands of the pitchers who do actually know what to do with it. Obviously, the majority of those pitcher at-bats would still be — let’s be kind and go with subpar. However, it would ensure that only the best of the worst were put in that position. Once the game moves to the bullpen, the game remains the same as it is right now.

However, for four days a week, an NL club could use a designated hitter in precisely the same fashion AL clubs do.  Not tied to the starter, just a traditional DH from start to finish.

This keeps all the financial advantages for NL owners from Fix No. 1 on the table, while arguably making it even more palatable to spend the extra money on the position to begin with. The elite SP asset is protected, and NL DHs would still make less money than their AL counterparts.

On the player side, the opportunities for injury drop dramatically, even if about half of NL pitchers will still have to bat at some point. Doing something you don’t want to do less is much better than doing nothing at all. The union still gains 15 higher-paying jobs, and still protects the skyrocketing earning power of elite starting pitchers.

From the fan standpoint…this is just fun. One more interesting aspect of the game to follow. How does the manager handle a seven-game week? Pitcher hitting becomes more interesting, both due a slight increase in quality and a significant decrease in frequency.

One of the best arguments for the DH, from a fan perspective, is its weirdness. Might as well make it weirder.