The MLB Implements Changes for the Upcoming Season

By Kenny Griffel ‘24
    Following the turbulent 2022 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the MLB has implemented many new practices and regulations that will alter the typical structure of the League that fans are accustomed to. 

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A league wide pitch clock has been introduced for the upcoming season, which is intended to speed up the pace of play and reduce the length of games. The clock assigns a set amount of time for both batters and pitchers, depending on the situation, to enter the batter’s box and deliver the pitch, respectively. 
For a league where a pitcher often holds the ball for long stretches of time or a batter stands outside the batter’s box for upwards of 20-30 seconds, the goal is to cut out the time watching players doing nothing at all, while keeping all the actual baseball. 
With the bases empty, the clock is set to 15 seconds; this is increased to 20 seconds when runners are on. The rules state that the batter must step in the box and be “ready to hit” with at least eight seconds left on the clock. However, if the batter fails to do so, or the pitcher does not release the pitch before time runs out, then an automatic strike or ball will be called. 
The change has been met with mixed reactions from players across the league, with many players arguing that the pitch clock disrupts their (often excessive) routines and could also lead to more mistakes on the field. Nevertheless, others believe it will add a more exciting element to the game, forcing pitchers to work more quickly and keep batters on their toes. 
Fans have been similarly split on the topic. 
“I understand the controversy that comes with significantly altering the integrity of the game,” said junior Joey Askin. “For me, though, I think the clock will definitely make the league’s overall product more appealing and exciting to watch.”
Another major change to the MLB’s structure and rules will see every single team play each other over the course of the 162 Game Season. 
“I definitely feel that in a season that spans six months, there should be enough games for each team to play one another,” said junior Zach Siegel. “More importantly, such a change should improve the overall fan experience, as they will now get to watch all of today’s stars face off against each other every day.”
Since the origins of the MLB, the American League and the National League have been extremely separate, and interleague play between teams from different leagues was exclusive to the World Series up until 1997, yet some fans have argued that the defined and seemingly separated nature of the two leagues had come to an end once free agency was first implemented into the MLB. 
Free agency was invented when agent Marvin Miller found a loophole in the contract of two players he was representing. Upheld in federal court, Miller’s efforts to allow his players to become free agents and demand higher pay worked, with his endeavor for free agency revolutionizing baseball. Because of his contributions to the game, Miller was posthumously honored and inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. 
Nowadays, free agency runs the market for players, and the intrigue towards the 2023 MLB season stems from the moves that teams made during this past offseason. 
A big market team like the New York Mets bolstered their roster by re-signing star closer Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo, while also making big additions such as 2022 American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. Moreover, the Mets dipped into the international market to sign Kodai Senga, one of the most sought after pitchers from Japan. 
Other notable moves from big market teams include outfielder and 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge re-signing with the Yankees, shortstop Trea Turner signing a massive 11-year, $300 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and star infielder Xander Bogaerts strengthening an already extremely talented San Diego Padres roster.
Unlike teams from such big markets as New York, Philadelphia and San Diego, many smaller market owners opted to spend little money in the hopes that their development systems and clever cheap signings could produce a reputable path to the playoffs. 
Among the MLB owners, there is a lot of debate on whether it is moral to outspend the opposition in order to succeed. However, the MLB made its position clear when it instituted fines for owners who choose to heavily outspend their opposition. 
“I think more spending encourages more competition which is exciting for fans,” said junior Doron Finkel. “Overall, this should be better for the sport of baseball as a whole.”
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