Loading
Yanuki
ARTICLE DETAIL
Counsell and Roberts Comment on MLB's Shohei Ohtani Rule | Yankees Adjust Aaron Judge Role Amid Lineup Changes | Red Sox Eye Blockbuster Trade for Yordan Alvarez to Fuel Offense | JJ Wetherholt’s Little League Grand Slam Lifts Cardinals Over Padres | Pirates Recall Nick Yorke, Jake Mangum Placed on Injured List | Blake Snell Set for Dodgers Debut as Tyler Glasnow Lands on IL | JJ Wetherholt's Little League Grand Slam: Cardinals vs. Padres | JJ Wetherholt's Little League Grand Slam Highlights Cardinals vs. Padres Game | Jose Azocar Elects Free Agency After Braves Release | Counsell and Roberts Comment on MLB's Shohei Ohtani Rule | Yankees Adjust Aaron Judge Role Amid Lineup Changes | Red Sox Eye Blockbuster Trade for Yordan Alvarez to Fuel Offense | JJ Wetherholt’s Little League Grand Slam Lifts Cardinals Over Padres | Pirates Recall Nick Yorke, Jake Mangum Placed on Injured List | Blake Snell Set for Dodgers Debut as Tyler Glasnow Lands on IL | JJ Wetherholt's Little League Grand Slam: Cardinals vs. Padres | JJ Wetherholt's Little League Grand Slam Highlights Cardinals vs. Padres Game | Jose Azocar Elects Free Agency After Braves Release

MLB / News

Counsell and Roberts Comment on MLB's Shohei Ohtani Rule

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has voiced his confusion over a Major League Baseball rule that allows the Los Angeles Dodgers to carry an extra pitcher due to Shohei Ohtani's unique two-way player status. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts h...

Counsell: MLB rule in place for Ohtani, Dodgers 'bizarre'
Share
X LinkedIn

cubs game today
Counsell and Roberts Comment on MLB's Shohei Ohtani Rule Image via ESPN

Key Insights

  • MLB teams are generally limited to 13 pitchers on their active roster from Opening Day through August 31.
  • Shohei Ohtani's designation as a two-way player means he doesn't count as a pitcher against the roster limit, allowing the Dodgers to carry 14 pitchers.
  • Counsell finds this rule "bizarre" and believes it gives the Dodgers an unfair advantage.
  • Roberts acknowledges the benefit to the Dodgers but argues that other teams could have the same advantage if they had a player like Ohtani.
  • The two-way player designation requires a player to have pitched at least 20 major league innings and started at least 20 games as a position player or designated hitter with at least three plate appearances in each of those games in the current or two previous seasons.

In-Depth Analysis

The rule in question, unofficially dubbed the "Ohtani Rule," was introduced in 2020 and allows players meeting specific criteria to be designated as two-way players. This designation exempts them from counting against the team's pitcher limit.

Craig Counsell's comments highlight a concern about competitive balance, suggesting that the rule disproportionately benefits the Dodgers due to Ohtani's exceptional abilities. Dave Roberts countered by stating that any team with a similar player would receive the same benefit.

This situation underscores the challenges of creating rules that accommodate exceptional players without creating unintended advantages or disadvantages for specific teams. The debate also touches on the broader issue of roster flexibility and the constraints managers face when dealing with injuries and performance issues.

Read source article

FAQ

What is the "Ohtani Rule?"

It's the unofficial name for the MLB rule that allows qualified two-way players to not count against a team's pitcher limit.

What are the qualifications for a two-way player designation?

A player must have pitched at least 20 major league innings and started at least 20 major league games as a position player or DH with at least three plate appearances in each of those games in the current or two previous seasons.

Why is Craig Counsell calling the rule "bizarre?"

He believes it gives an unfair advantage to teams with a qualified two-way player, specifically the Dodgers.

Takeaways

  • The MLB rule regarding two-way players like Shohei Ohtani is causing debate among managers.
  • The rule allows teams with qualified two-way players to carry an extra pitcher on their roster.
  • This situation highlights the challenges of balancing unique player abilities with competitive fairness.
  • The Cubs will face the Dodgers in a series this weekend, but Ohtani is not scheduled to pitch against them.

Discussion

Do you think this rule is fair? Should MLB reconsider the two-way player designation? Let us know your thoughts!

Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Sources

Disclaimer

This article was compiled by Yanuki using publicly available data and trending information. The content may summarize or reference third-party sources that have not been independently verified. While we aim to provide timely and accurate insights, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated.

All content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Yanuki makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability or completeness of the information.

This article may include links to external sources for further context. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement.

Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any decisions based on the information presented.