Every year at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, the focus is on players, agents and general managers. The trade frenzy and free-agent signings — we’re talking about you, Juan Soto, and all starting pitchers — dominate the headlines.
But the event is also an opportunity for the head coaches of all 30 teams to come together. When baseball captains came to Dallas last week, we asked a few of them about MLB rule changes, postseason format, the opposing batter they fear most and more.
Here’s what they had to say.
If it were up to you, what would be the next major rule change in MLB?
Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals: Definitely not gold [at-]bat. I like the state of the game right now, really. First of all, all the new rule changes have taken a minute, but baseball is definitely moving in the right direction.
Ron Washington, Los Angeles Angels: Give the pitcher all the time he needs to throw the ball. I also want to get rid of that three-pass-to-first-base crap. …experienced pitchers can handle it [the pitch clock] Once they see what needs to be done. But I think that only affects young pitchers.
Derrick Shelton, Pittsburgh Pirates: I thought I’d take on some kind of challenge — something we talked about in the strike zone, like we’d tried in the minor leagues.
AJ Hinch, Detroit Tigers: I think we have established industry rules. …Naturally, we’re going to be resistant to any kind of changes to the game’s history or any kind of freshness and things like that, but I’ve heard or seen almost no complaints.
Bruce Bochy, Texas Rangers: Just like us, whether as a head coach or as a player, we always want to get better. So you’re always looking for ways to make the game better. It’s okay to tinker with it a little, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
After many seasons, what are your thoughts on MLB’s current expanded playoff format?
Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles: I like the multiple games in the wild card. I think this is better. I think the format is an improvement.
Washington: Those teams that come out of the division and win the division — we have to find a way to keep them active. Because if the other playoff teams make it to the end, they’re going to be sitting pretty long. This has a great impact on us [in Atlanta]. This year, I think it affected Cleveland.
Sheldon: I like it. I think it provides a lot of excitement. I think anything we can do to get more teams to play meaningful games in September is important for the game.
Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins: I think it works very well. I’m in favor of it, and I think it’s good for the game. I think the slightly expanded format makes it competitive for the vast majority of players in the league who are playing meaningful games as the season goes on.
Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals: I didn’t think too much about the way it was laid out. I love being in it. I experienced this when I was in Tampa and we lost both games in Cleveland in that wild card game. It’s too hard. In baseball, unless you win the division, you either win or go straight home. So that puts a premium on winning the division. I think that’s great. But I like the expansion of it.
Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds: One thing I wish they could change is… you see too much bullpen action in the playoffs. That’s not really how teams are formed. Now, I’d like to see that after 162 games, I’d like to see teams have to use their entire roster. I think that way you find the really best teams. Not just the teams that are top-heavy with a few good pitchers and you can throw out your bullpen on the off days. I mean, I get it. They are competing. I’m not saying they are wrong to do so. Just don’t think that’s how our games are built.
Which opposing batter would you least like to face towards the end of a game?
Hyde: There are so many. [Shohei] Otani, Soto, [Aaron] Judge, [Mookie] Bates, Jordan Alvarez. Wrap them all up. I don’t want to face any of them.
Washington: Mookie Betts – Because he beat me so many times.
Sheldon: I’d probably still say Soto – just because of the quality of the shots and you’ve got to hit them well. He can do damage in a lot of different places, but he makes you throw the ball at the plate.
Baldelli: It’s not rocket science – it’s the judges. I just didn’t want to face a judge. He’s just that good.
When your season is on the line, which pitcher (not on your team) would you most like to give the ball to?
Hyde: I’ll give you a few. [Tarik] Skubal certainly does. Can I take relievers? [Emmanuel] kind. and [Zack] Wheeler.
Washington: Max Scherzer. Perseverance. Never give in.
Sheldon: Probably Corbin Burns. Maybe a little biased, just because I’ve seen him in center field a lot over the last few years, but just because of his ability to execute pitches.
Baldelli: Probably Skubal. It’s hard for me to say anyone but Skubal.
Who is the best manager in baseball besides you?
Washington: Bruce Bochy – Because he can run the bullpen. Oh, and Terry Francona. These two can run a bullpen.
Sheldon: with Tito [Francona] Coming back, it’s hard not to say Tito, and that’s Kevin Cash.
Baldelli: Because I also know him and played for him, I think Tito is the one I have to say – because he gets the best out of all his staff. He made people feel like they could do anything, and then they did it, over and over again.
