Dodgers News: The new agreement is good for the soul of the sport and for the souls of the owners

Well, that seemed like a giant waste of time. MLB owners sat around on their hands for weeks, griped that players were asking for too much, and eventually relented as the world of baseball fans began to make their impatience known.

But we don’t have to dwell on the dark days of winter and spring with no baseball. The lockout is over, and we are going to see changes immediately. Players are going to see the changes to their pocketbooks — especially those rookies who are set to take the world by storm — and fans are in for a revamped game come April 7. More changes could be in the works for 2023, but we should talk about how this lockout and the new collective bargaining agreement are going to affect 2022.

The topline changes are as follows:

• Universal designated hitter
• Playoffs expanded to 12 teams
• Limited number of times a plate can be optioned in one season
• Draft lottery to discourage tanking
• Draft pick inducements to discourage service time manipulation

Some of these will affect the Dodgers more than others but let’s take a look at each of these items on their own.

Universal Designated Hitter

I’m well aware that I am in the minority here, but I think this is just awful for the game. I’ve prided myself for years that I supported a “complete” baseball team. There were no players on the Dodgers who only played on one side of the diamond. Sure, it wasn’t pretty watching pitchers hack at curveballs in the dirt like they were swinging pool noodles, but I always thought it seemed right seeing players trying to execute every part of the game.

It’s always fun, if not always pleasing, to see positional players on the mound in those woeful blowouts or deep extra innings games. Pitchers coming to bat was a more common sight, but the magic of things coming together was no less wonderful for it.

But if I take off my rose-tinted glasses and try to judge this development seriously, I know that it’s a good thing — for the Dodgers and for the sport as a whole.

The Dodgers have decent depth, but more importantly, they have aging starters. Justin Turner is 37, A.J. Pollock is 34, Max Muncy and Chris Taylor are 31. Will Smith is only 27, but giving him a chance to stay in the lineup without the wear and tear of catching will increase his shelf life and only help his value.

As a baseball fan, I’m gutted that the two leagues have no defining difference anymore. As a Dodger fan, I’m thrilled that our pitchers can stop worrying about taking BP and our offense can only improve as players get more rest as we rotate through our designated hitters.

Playoffs Expanded to 12 Teams

What isn’t to love about this one? Playoff baseball is the best baseball.

Nine National League wildcard teams have played in a World Series since it was introduced in 1995. Two of those appearances have been since the expanded format was introduced in 2012. Both the 2014 Giants and 2019 Nationals won the World Series as wildcard teams.

A more crowded road to a championship might be daunting for some teams, but the Dodgers should have no fear. An extra team to step over on their way to the World Series will only affirm how good this team is.

Limited Number of Times a Player Can be Optioned in One Season

I think this bodes well for organizations and their players’ development. Shuffling players between big league clubs and minor league affiliates multiple times a season only serves to foment resentment and frustration, if not downright discouragement, for players.

If teams know they only have a handful of options to move a player around, they’re going to be frugal with call ups and try to make sure only the most seasoned, big league-ready players make their way into the clubhouse. Sometimes a player does need to go back to AAA for development, and it’s good clubs still have that option. But hopefully, this change means we see fewer less-than-ready players getting a cup of coffee in the first place.

We all love to see the “next big thing” take the mound. What we hate to see is that same guy get shelled and walk off the field not knowing if he’s going to get another chance. Fewer options means managers are going to have to get creative with how they use young and underperforming players.

Maybe it’s a good thing they don’t have to use up all their creative juices on double switches anymore.

Draft Lottery to Discourage Tanking

This might be the best change yet.

There’s nothing worse than seeing a franchise actively undermine itself in the hopes of snagging a top pick. Dodger fans are blessed to have leadership that is willing to spend and has done their best to ensure the team remains competitive now and in the future.&

But imagine Magic and Co. took a look at the roster, determined some pieces were too old to be viable for much longer (see the DH section), and started selling off players piecemeal in order to get a bite at the draft apple.

What happens when teams do this is you quickly end up with a Pittsburgh Pirates situation. A storied franchise that had skills and potential as recently as 2015 but now appears to be wallowing in mediocrity.

Fans deserve owners who are going to invest in the franchise. Selling off parts in hopes of falling into star player isn’t a good business plan, and it’s absolutely dreadful as a recipe for building a successful, popular organization.

Draft Pick Inducements to Discourage Service Time Manipulation

There’s not a lot more to be said here that wasn’t covered by the new limit on team options in a season.

Teams already have too much control over players before they can become free agents. Stalling on calling up obvious stars until the middle of April (in a regular season) so that they can have an extra year of control seems inhuman.

It can be hard to sympathize with players sometimes. The young stars affected by service time manipulation are players who are likely to get new contracts and get paid in the process. But players are humans too. They want to feel appreciated by their clubs. Sure, a big, multimillion-dollar contract helps, but it doesn’t hurt if owners treat their stars like people. Losing a year of control is a small price to pay for showing a player that you care about him, not just as a commodity to be controlled but as a living, breathing member of an organization you are cultivating to win.