It’s always worth remembering that, although Major League Baseball is an entity, charged in many ways with managing the professional game of baseball here in the States, it is also the avatar for each of its 30 clubs and owners. That means, among other things, when we talk about “MLB” doing something or not doing something when negotiating with the players, you also have to get past that sticky hurdle of actually getting the owners to agree on changes.
So, for example, when it comes to the recent chatter on rules changes – including the universal designated hitter – “MLB” can’t just do it. The owners have to approve it. The biggest proposed changes seemed pretty drastic for implementation in just a month or two.
And on that note, lots to update from this week’s owners meetings …
The National League has no intention to adopt the DH anytime soon, NL owners privately say. It quite likely will be a different story when the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in 2021.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 8, 2019
In other words, everybody can take a deep breath. This year is still really about pitch clock, commercial break tweaks, etc. The other, bigger stuff may very well come, just not now.
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) February 8, 2019
As that happens, there were be authenticated in-market streaming again in 2019. After prior Fox deal expires after last season, a new one has been done. Terms have been offered to Comcast, MLB waiting on response. AT&T also set to go.
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) February 8, 2019