MLB and the Players Association will begin serious negotiations this week for a new contract. Or at least, more seriously.
But no matter when a new contract will be signed, we know one thing: there will be a designated hitter in the National. Rob Manfred has already confirmed this.
For players, this is good news. After all, 15 new starter jobs will be created and pitchers won’t have to go hitting, which is a relief for the majority of them.
But in some cases, we can understand some players not necessarily being happy with this rule – and that has nothing to do with the double-substitution strategy.
Take the example of the St. Louis Cardinals, for example. There, the club is very balanced and there is no surplus anywhere. The club does not have two first basemen to tell themselves that they can alternate as first baseman and as DH.
What to do, then? A rotation with guys who don’t want to play as DH… starting with Nolan Arenado.
How the universal DH impacts the St. Louis Cardinals
For months, Major League Baseball has been expected to implement the universal designated hitter. So it came as no surprise when commissioner Rob Manfred i…
Obviously, the lockout is still in effect, so clubs aren’t done adding coins. The Cardinals could well decide to add a choice hitter by the start of the season.
And sincerely, because their direct opponents will take advantage of this advantage, it would be surprising not to see the Cards add such a hitter at least with a veteran. Albert Pujols, anyone?
But as of today, it’s the regulars who will take their turn as DH and that could include Nolan Arenado.
You will agree with me: Arenado is not a DH. He’s the best defensive third baseman in the league – by far – and he hates playing as a pick hitter. He did it twice in 2018 (Rockies) and twice in 2021 (Cardinal) when the hitter of choice wasn’t universal.
Nolan Arenado hates being a DH, but his first time in the role was huge for the Rockies
Even with no idea how to prepare for being a designated hitter, the Rockies All-Star, with a sore shoulder, belts an important homer for a Colorado team in the playoff chase.
But under the current conditions, his manager will have no choice but to give him rehearsals as DH because everyone will go through it. Arenado will have to be a team player and drop in once in a while whether he likes it or not.
Universal DH is good for offense in baseball, but National teams that don’t have good production at that position will find themselves at a disadvantage compared to other teams in the league.
