Yesterday, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reported that they have scheduled the next set of labor negotiations for Saturday February 12th. 

During that meeting, the MLB is expected to deliver another proposal in an attempt to end the lockout and begin the season on time. According to Bob Nightengale, in an apparent concession by the owners, they have signed off on implementing the universal DH. 

For the MLBPA this issue has been at the forefront of their demands for the past half decade. Simply put the universal DH is a job creator and rather selfishly will also greatly benefits the Phillies.

It opens up 15 additional spots for guys with suspect gloves like Alec Bohm or fat guys like Albert Pujols who you cannot hide on NL rosters. Adding a universal DH allows star players, or offensive minded catchers like Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto, to remain in the game when they are nursing injuries or are not behind the plate. 

The change will also benefit the quality of the game as pitchers slashed a dismal 110/.150/.142 in 4,829 plate appearances during the 2021 season. 

I grew up a National League purist who believed “if you play, then you hit” but If you think watching Matt Moore or Chase Anderson at the dish is entertaining then sorry pal, I cant help you, you’re an idiot. 

For the sake of baseball and our winter sanity let us pray the positive vibes of this announcement bleed into this weekends negotiations so we can get back to what is really important. Like analyzing pitcher and catcher workouts and drinking Coronas on your couch underneath a heat lamp while pretending you already in Clearwater. 

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