# MLB-Hot Stove League winter 2022/23 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [November 14, 2022, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910 "2022-11-14T20:53:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/221 "2023-02-13T23:37:34Z")
But they solved baseball’s biggest problem. Postition players pitching. It is like baseball took the old adage, every baseball game is a chance to see something that never happened before, and thought how do we fix that ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/222 "2023-02-14T00:15:36Z")
Boooooo! Terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/223 "2023-02-14T02:11:45Z")
Nats owner Ted Lerner passed away at age 97. Thanks Ted, it was a long 34 years between baseball teams. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/224 "2023-02-14T14:38:59Z")
Just when I thought the Rules Committee couldn’t get any dumber. What nest, T-Ball Home Run Derby if the game goes 15 innings? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/225 "2023-02-14T17:24:23Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Looks like the stupid runner on 2nd is here forever. I’d like to register my disapproval. This one, however, was not done for the fans. “Free Baseball” is something the fans like, but probably not the players. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/226 "2023-02-14T17:59:58Z")
In addition to the permanent establishment of the extra-inning runner, the competition committee is also instituting new rules on when a team can use a position player as a pitcher: - Through the eighth inning, a team may only use a position player to pitch if they are down by 8+ runs - In the ninth inning, a position player may only be used if the team is down by 10+ runs - In extra innings, position players may be used to pitch at any time Interestingly, it does mean that a team could be using a position player to pitch the 8th, but then would have to send an actual pitcher in for the 9th, if they are only down by 8 or 9 runs. > **[Source: Extra-inning, extra-runner rule to remain](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35652660/source-extra-inning-extra-runner-rule-remain)** > > MLB's joint competition committee has voted to keep the rule that places a runner at second base at the start of extra innings, and a separate set of rules that puts parameters on when position players can pitch, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/227 "2023-02-14T19:27:54Z")
2013 NLCS MVP Michael Wacha signs with Padres. > **[MLB world reacts to huge Padres news](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mlb-world-reacts-to-huge-padres-news/ar-AA17tCCL?cvid=bc4ef7038640499b9077cc5334eb3058)** > > The Padres bolstered their pitching rotation depth on Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a contract with free-agent Michael Wacha. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/228 "2023-02-14T22:43:27Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > In addition to the permanent establishment of the extra-inning runner, the competition committee is also instituting new rules on when a team can use a position player as a pitcher: > > - Through the eighth inning, a team may only use a position player to pitch if they are down by 8+ runs > - In the ninth inning, a position player may only be used if the team is down by 10+ runs > - In extra innings, position players may be used to pitch at any time I wonder which problem this rule is trying to solve? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/229 "2023-02-14T22:46:46Z")
I have a chance for two good tickets to the 2023 AllStar Game, (and home run derby) They’re not cheap, but that’s not the issue. I don’t find the “summer classic” game that interesting on TV. Anyone attend one live? Is it a cool experience? I think it might be, but I don’t even bother watching most years when I’m home and it’s free. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/230 "2023-02-14T22:53:02Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > I wonder which problem this rule is trying to solve? The explosion in use of position players to pitch in the past couple of seasons. I’m not sure that I see it as a “problem,” per se, but it seems like a lot of people do feel that, when a team puts in a position player to pitch, it’s essentially giving up on even the pretense of being competitive in that game, in the interest of saving the team’s relief pitchers for another day. And, increasingly, it’s also a tactic that’s being used by teams which are way _ahead_ in a game, again to save their pitchers’ arms. That said, it’s also the predictable by-product of (a) teams using their relief pitchers more and more, and pulling their starters earlier in games, and (b) a rule, which finally went into effect last season, limiting teams to 13 pitchers on their active rosters. As per [MLB.com](http://MLB.com): > [@](#): > > There was a record 132 pitching appearances by position players during the 2022 season. That was up from 89 in '21, and easily surpassed the previous high of 90 in '19. To put that in perspective even further, there were only three pitching appearances by position players in '08. > **[Automatic runner permanent; new position-player pitching rules](https://www.mlb.com/news/automatic-runner-permanent-new-mlb-rules-for-position-players-pitching)** > > The Joint Competition Committee voted on Monday to make two additions to the 2023 rulebook regarding the automatic runner in extra innings and position players pitching. > As has been the case for the past three seasons, teams will begin each inning... ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/231 "2023-02-14T23:01:38Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > I wonder which problem this rule is trying to solve? The problem of the game being colorful and fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/232 "2023-02-15T03:57:11Z")
The fact that the ghost runner is verboten in the postseason proves that it isn’t real baseball. They should have taken a more measured approach. Use the ghost runner up until the all-star break, perhaps. There are a lot of ‘crucial’ series down the stretch that should be settled by the deepest squads and not, oops, a slow roller to first and a sac fly. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/233 "2023-02-15T05:05:30Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There was a record 132 pitching appearances by position players during the 2022 season. That was up from 89 in '21, and easily surpassed the previous high of 90 in '19. To put that in perspective even further, there were only three pitching appearances by position players in '08. It remains the case, though, that all of those appearances were meaningless. The fact someone uses Steve Shortstop to pitch instead of Bill Longrelief doesn’t hurt the game in any way. If anything, fans like seeing position players pitch. > [@BlankSlate](#): > > The fact that the ghost runner is verboten in the postseason proves that it isn’t real baseball. It’s another solution in search of a problem. VERY few extra inning games go really long. The idea a bunch of 17-inning game were screwing everything up is fiction; they almost never happen. Also I hate the term, “Ghost runner.” It’s an automatic runner. A ghost runner is a convention used in kids’ baseball with a low number of players to allow for a literally imaginary runner to take the place of a live person who can then assume hitting or some other duty. The ghost runner is moved in tandem with the batter’s ability to advance. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/234 "2023-02-15T21:24:28Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > In addition to the permanent establishment of the extra-inning runner, the competition committee is also instituting new rules on when a team can use a position player as a pitcher: So is Ohtani a “position” player, a pitcher or both. If he gets to be counted as a pitcher allowed to play in the field can I name my utility infielder as an “Ohtani” and allow him to pitch when needed. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/235 "2023-02-15T23:09:52Z")
Strassburg and deGrom are both injured going into Spring Training. The word on Strassburg is…not good. Sorry, Nats and Rangers fans. > **[MLB spring training: Stephen Strasburg, Jacob deGrom already nursing injuries...](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-spring-training-stephen-strasburg-jacob-degrom-already-nursing-injuries-as-camp-opens/)** > > Two oft-injured aces are already dealing with delays in spring training ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/236 "2023-02-15T23:21:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The word on Strassburg is…not good. I’d read a WaPo article last year about Strasburg, I think shortly after his one and only 2022 start before going back on the injured list. It detailed the rather extreme surgery he’d had to try to correct the thoracic outlet syndrome (surgeons removed one of his ribs, and two muscles in his neck), and what sounded like. at that point, steep odds to be able to return to playing. > **[Stephen Strasburg gave his body to baseball. Now his future is a mystery.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/09/16/stephen-strasburg-injury-recovery/)** > > Strasburg, the World Series MVP for the Nationals in 2019, has not thrown a ball in more than three months. He’s not certain he will pitch again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/237 "2023-02-15T23:26:18Z")
“…we’ve got a bunch of guys on (the Red Sox) pitching staff top to bottom. Bullpen, starting staff. We’re here to make some noise. Say what you want, but I like where we’re at.” - Chris Sale Last year Sale came back after a rib fracture only to suffer a broken pinky and season-ending fractured wrist. If they get a dozen starts out of him this year it’ll be miraculous.\* \*he’ll probably have plenty of company on the injured list. Paxton, Kluber etc. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/238 "2023-02-16T00:18:24Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > So is Ohtani a “position” player, a pitcher or both. He is a [two-way player](https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/two-way-players#:~:text=Definition,end%20of%20the%20regular%20season), meeting the following MLB rules definition: Players qualify for the two-way designation if they have met both of these conditions in either the current or previous MLB season: • Pitched at least 20 Major League innings • Played at least 20 Major League games as a position player or designated hitter, with at least three plate appearances in each game ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/239 "2023-02-16T00:54:12Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > He is a [two-way player](https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/two-way-players#:~:text=Definition,end%20of%20the%20regular%20season), meeting the following MLB rules definition: > > Players qualify for the two-way designation if they have met both of these conditions in either the current or previous MLB season: > > • Pitched at least 20 Major League innings > • Played at least 20 Major League games as a position player or designated hitter, with at least three plate appearances in each game So any new possible “Ohtani” who is primarily a hitter is in trouble under the current rule. He can’t be a two-way player until he’s already been one or his team is in plenty of blowouts for him to get his innings. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910/240 "2023-02-16T01:54:09Z")
Or you have him start 4 games. The new rules only apply to relief appearances. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-league-winter-2022-23/974910.md?page=13)