Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, has been at the center of a heated debate regarding the starting pitching problem. His ideas and the subsequent reactions have sparked significant discussions among baseball enthusiasts.

Unraveling Manfred's Pitcher Strategies

Starting Pitcher Trends and the Problem

Rob Manfred has long been aware of the declining innings-per-start rate among starting pitchers. In 1984, it was 6.3 innings per start, but by 2004, it had dropped to 5.9, and in 2024, it further decreased to 5.2. This trend worries Manfred as he believes that the starting pitcher is the face and name that viewers see the most during a broadcast. Historically, great starting pitcher matchups have been crucial for marketing the game. He emphasizes the need to get back to this aspect. 2: The decline in innings pitched by starters is not just a statistical anomaly. It has implications for the overall flow and excitement of the game. Fans expect to see their favorite pitchers take the mound and go deep into the game, but the current trend is moving in the opposite direction. Manfred is determined to find solutions to address this issue and bring back the glory of the starting pitcher.

Proposed Solutions and Challenges

Manfred has discussed two ideas to address the starting pitching problem. One is a minimum pitching requirement, which would dictate a threshold that a pitcher must surpass before a manager could pull them from the game. However, he believes that this is too blunt an instrument and may not fix the problem effectively. 2: Instead, Manfred suggests changes to transaction rules. Currently, a pitcher may be outrighted after pitching three days in a row and then a new pitcher is brought in. Manfred wants to create incentives through roster and transaction rules for clubs to develop pitchers who can go deeper in the game. This would encourage teams to invest in their starting pitching staff and build a more sustainable rotation.

The Injury Conundrum

Forcing starters to pitch deeper into games could potentially increase the prevalence of injuries. Manfred's physicians have studied this carefully and believe that the focus on velocity and spin rate is a specific cause of the increase in injuries. 2: On the other hand, if the league does not take any action, clubs will continue to rely on relatively unknown relievers instead of more well-known starters. This could lead to a decline in the quality of starting pitching and affect the overall competitiveness of the league. The collective bargaining agreement is set to expire after 2026, leaving the conversation about pitcher management wide open.