National League: DH or no DH?

[Vroom14]

With the recent injuries to two National League aces, Max Scherzer and Adam Wainwright, while batting, one begins to bring up the idea once again if the DH should be implemented in the National League as well. Wainwright is almost sure to be out of the rest of the season because of his injury at the plate. Max Scherzer brought up the idea after hearing about Wainwright's "brutal" injury. 

"I wouldn't be opposed," Scherzer said.

"If you look at it from the macro side, who'd people rather see hit -- Big Papi or me?" Scherzer said. "Who would people rather see, a real hitter hitting home runs or a pitcher swinging a wet newspaper? Both leagues need to be on the same set of rules."

"If you look at it long-term, I think eventually, there will be a DH in the National League."

"Those kids, they want to see V-Mart hit," Scherzer said while at Marlins Park. "Those kids don't want to see me hit. No one want to see a pitcher hit. No one pays money for that."

"It also helps position players, as it enable teams to have a rotation at DH," Scherzer said."We keep searching for offense. This would be the easiest way to add offense."

What do you guys think? I'm curious to hear whether you guys think the DH should be implemented for the National League. If you all could fill out the poll and perhaps talk about why you think so either way, that would be great! 

[16fernandezisbeast]

Apr 27, 2015 8:56:47 GMT -5 Vroom14 said:

With the recent injuries to two National League aces, Max Scherzer and Adam Wainwright, while batting, one begins to bring up the idea once again if the DH should be implemented in the National League as well. Wainwright is almost sure to be out of the rest of the season because of his injury at the plate. Max Scherzer brought up the idea after hearing about Wainwright's "brutal" injury. 

"I wouldn't be opposed," Scherzer said.

"If you look at it from the macro side, who'd people rather see hit -- Big Papi or me?" Scherzer said. "Who would people rather see, a real hitter hitting home runs or a pitcher swinging a wet newspaper? Both leagues need to be on the same set of rules."

"If you look at it long-term, I think eventually, there will be a DH in the National League."

"Those kids, they want to see V-Mart hit," Scherzer said while at Marlins Park. "Those kids don't want to see me hit. No one want to see a pitcher hit. No one pays money for that."

"It also helps position players, as it enable teams to have a rotation at DH," Scherzer said."We keep searching for offense. This would be the easiest way to add offense."

What do you guys think? I'm curious to hear whether you guys think the DH should be implemented for the National League. If you all could fill out the poll and perhaps talk about why you think so either way, that would be great! 

I think they should have a DH, if there going to have one in one league, make it fair and have it in both

[cardinals507]

If they have one in one I think they should however I think they should take the DH out of the game. Some managers would agree as it provides more strategy in the game.

[cardinals507]

It's also fun to watch pitchers bat. You know Colon is the best hitter to ever play

[Vroom14]

I personally think the DH should be in place for both leagues. Scherzer made a good point of saying would you rather watch a player like Victor Martinez or David Ortiz hit or a pitcher bat. It's not like pitchers are decent at batting either. There are very few pitchers that are alright when betting, and most aren't. Why risk your ace batting and injuring himself, when his sole purpose on a team is to PITCH. But I doubt the MLB will do anything in the near future. But it does pose as a disadvantage when AL teams have to face NL teams, since AL pitchers aren't used to batting and it takes one of their best hitters out of the lineup. It might be entertaining to watch let's say David ️Price bat, speaking on a personal standpoint, but I rather see V-Mart in his spot than Price.

[cardinals507]

I get what you are saying I guess. But then that's also not as fair to the bench players as they would see a lot less at bats. Having a DH in the NL would also require them to spend 8-15 more million on a DH.

[Vroom14]

Apr 27, 2015 17:53:31 GMT -5 cardinals507 said:

I get what you are saying I guess. But then that's also not as fair to the bench players as they would see a lot less at bats. Having a DH in the NL would also require them to spend 8-15 more million on a DH.

Yeah, I suppose. Pinch hitters are used much more frequently obviously in the NL than the AL. But the extra 10 million I personally think is worth it. The DH will help you score more runs, and help you win more games, than a pitcher in the same spot. But

[just28]

Apr 27, 2015 19:15:40 GMT -5 Vroom14 said:

Apr 27, 2015 17:53:31 GMT -5 cardinals507 said:

I get what you are saying I guess. But then that's also not as fair to the bench players as they would see a lot less at bats. Having a DH in the NL would also require them to spend 8-15 more million on a DH.

Yeah, I suppose. Pinch hitters are used much more frequently obviously in the NL than the AL. But the extra 10 million I personally think is worth it. The DH will help you score more runs, and help you win more games, than a pitcher in the same spot. But

I'll have to disagree and say that the extra $10 million isn't worth it. Let's assume the Tigers and the Padres have $15mil to sign 2 players(1 pitcher, 1 batter). Take vmart for example, a $12mil player vs a $10mil James Shields. That would leave the Tigers with $3mil to find a starting pitcher while the Padres would have $5 mil to find a bench player. I agree that the DH will help score more runs but without a good pitchers, a team would never be able to contend or hold a lead. 

[Vroom14]

Apr 27, 2015 21:50:12 GMT -5 just28 said:

Apr 27, 2015 19:15:40 GMT -5 Vroom14 said:

Yeah, I suppose. Pinch hitters are used much more frequently obviously in the NL than the AL. But the extra 10 million I personally think is worth it. The DH will help you score more runs, and help you win more games, than a pitcher in the same spot. But

I'll have to disagree and say that the extra $10 million isn't worth it. Let's assume the Tigers and the Padres have $15mil to sign 2 players(1 pitcher, 1 batter). Take vmart for example, a $12mil player vs a $10mil James Shields. That would leave the Tigers with $3mil to find a starting pitcher while the Padres would have $5 mil to find a bench player. I agree that the DH will help score more runs but without a good pitchers, a team would never be able to contend or hold a lead. 

I agree but the AL has lots of good pitchers, which shows that they aren't struggling in terms of payroll that they can't pay a good SP and a good DH. But that's just my personal opinion.

[cardinals507]

But their seems to be a trend. The pitchers want to pitch in the NL cuz their isn't a DH. Shields, Lester, and Scherzer all signed with NL teams.

[dragontrip1]

Apr 29, 2015 15:00:03 GMT -5 cardinals507 said:

But their seems to be a trend. The pitchers want to pitch in the NL cuz their isn't a DH. Shields, Lester, and Scherzer all signed with NL teams.

I agree with your argument but it's not like Scherzer wanted to pitch against pitchers so he signed in the NL. He obviously hates batting. That's the flip side of facing pitchers, and it pretty much evens things out again.

[Vroom14]

Apr 29, 2015 15:00:03 GMT -5 cardinals507 said:

But their seems to be a trend. The pitchers want to pitch in the NL cuz their isn't a DH. Shields, Lester, and Scherzer all signed with NL teams.

I think that's just a coincidence. DH provides more offense, and it's better for them to face one less dangerous hitter who usually occupies the DH spot on an AL team. Scherzer went to highest bidder, Lester weighed between Cubs and Red Sox (if I recall correctly) and felt better with Cubs (but I don't think it had to do with him batting/not facing DH), and Shields went scrambling after not getting a deal until February and found a home with San Diego. 

[just28]

To me, the NL is more of a pitcher's league whereas the AL is a batter's league. I'd like to keep it like that.

[Vroom14]

Apr 29, 2015 19:55:43 GMT -5 just28 said:

To me, the NL is more of a pitcher's league whereas the AL is a batter's league. I'd like to keep it like that.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I think it's just best to keep it the way it is. Honestly, I don't mind it much when I'm watching cause I'm an AL guy, only when we play Interleague does it matter.