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MLB Cracking Down On Pitchers’ Use Of Foreign Substances On Baseballs

By Steve Adams | March 24, 2021 at 1:49pm CDT

Major League Baseball has issued a memo informing all 30 clubs that it will seek to crack down on pitchers doctoring the baseball through the use of foreign substances, as first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. One of the league’s tactics, per Sherman, will be to use Statcast data to gauge spin-rate increases for pitchers suspected of doctoring the ball.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan (Twitter thread) and ESPN’s Jesse Rogers provide further detail, reporting that the league will have compliance officers monitor dugouts, clubhouses, tunnels, bullpens and batting cages in an effort to reduce the use of foreign substances. Those officers will also pull random samples of baseballs to be analyzed in a third-party lab. Balls suspected of being doctored by a pitcher will be tested against that pitcher’s spin-rate data from Statcast.

MLB’s memo indicates that pitchers are subject to discipline from the Commissioner’s Office whether evidence is discovered during the course of a game or after the completion of a game. It’s unclear at this time just what type of penalties will be levied against pitchers who are found to be utilizing foreign substances. It’s also not clear if there will be any warnings issued or if the league will jump straight into discipline for first-time offenders. The league’s memo also indicates that team personnel can be the subject of discipline if they are determined to be helping pitchers doctor the ball.

Rampant use of foreign substances, be it pine tar or otherwise, isn’t exactly a well-kept secret throughout the league. There are rare occasions of managers calling out an opposing pitcher when the presence of a substance is particularly egregious, but as Sherman notes, many are reluctant to do so, knowing the accusation could quickly be turned back on one of their own pitchers.

The league’s attempt to crack down on the use of foreign substances aligns with other efforts to increase the amount of action in the game and move away from an increasingly three-true-outcome-oriented (i.e. home runs, walks, strikeouts) style of play. Reducing the use of foreign substances could cut back on strikeouts and perhaps on walks — at least in theory.

At the same time, it’s not at all clear how the league plans to differentiate 2021 spin-rate data from “normal” spin-rate data. The very presence of these new policies indicates that the league considers use of foreign substance to be a widespread problem, after all.

However, the widespread nature of the issue likely also means that prior offenders are already benefiting from inflated spin rates on their pitches. If a pitcher who used pine tar, sunscreen or any other number of substances continues to do so in 2021, a notable change in his spin rate would be unlikely. That could still result in discipline if a ball taken out of play after being thrown by a pitcher is found to have significant traces of a foreign substance, but the spin-rate analysis may not be as telling as MLB hopes. At the very least, that practice could prevent new pitchers from adopting the use of foreign substances, but depending on how prevalent one believes the issue to be, that could represent a rather small number of players.

Depending on the extent and frequency of disciplinary measures enacted by MLB, it’d be a surprise if we didn’t see some appeals from pitchers around the league. It’ll surely be a talking point in the final week of Spring Training and early in the season, but only time will tell whether the new measures have any actual efficacy.

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Comments

  1. dvmin98

    3 weeks ago

    Dodgers gonna regret that Bauer contract real soon

    24 Like
    Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      3 weeks ago

      My first thought too.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Steve Nebraska

        3 weeks ago

        Only if anything is actually done to stop it. They can say they are going to do whatever they want, but until they actually take action, I’m not going to hold my breath.

        4 Like
        Reply
      • WillieMaysHayes24

        3 weeks ago

        All of a sudden the Dodgers and Yankees seem less formidable….

        5 Like
        Reply
        • Cam

          3 weeks ago

          That’s a stretch..

          1 Like
          Reply
    • doug.daniel243

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah this was actually my biggest worry when we signed him but I still don’t think MLB is doing much more than posturing at this point so I’m not too worried yet. It is going to be extremely difficult to enforce this rule and the fact that pretty much every player in the league uses it means that once they start, everyone is coming down. This is much easier to directly link to players than any sign stealing that may have occurred before now, meaning they can’t just do the same move as they did last scandal. With that in mind, they won’t want to start a huge scandal again that makes everyone look bad, especially because of the falling viewership of the sport (scandals turn those away) and the fact that they just came off of another huge scandal just a couple years ago (the trashstros).

      Like
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      • doug.daniel243

        3 weeks ago

        Also the players don’t really want it gone either. There are people like Bryce Harper out there who have said it makes batters feel more comfortable in the box to know a ball is less likely to come flying at his head.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • imbarrassing

          3 weeks ago

          Absolutely. This is a shot fired at the union.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • citizen928

          3 weeks ago

          and yet HBP are way up. blogs.fangraphs.com/the-hit-by-pitch-continues-to-…

          1 Like
          Reply
        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          But more likely for a disgusting curveball or fastball. Batters have helmets for a reason…

          Like
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        • WereAllJustGuestsHere

          3 weeks ago

          citizen – HBP continues to rise because hitters today crowd the plate more than ever before. Hitters are very comfortable in the batters box for a variety of reasons.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          What armor they wear at the plate, they should have to wear in the field. Doesn’t address DH but I’ve thought this since I watched Bonds hang over the dish.

          7 Like
          Reply
        • WereAllJustGuestsHere

          3 weeks ago

          Ducky let’s take it one step further; they wear it while they run the bases also.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • Wendell

          3 weeks ago

          Yeah and they should also bat with their fielding mits on. Lol

          3 Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          That was implied.
          But, yeah.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          @imbarrassing That makes no sense since the union already agreed to both the rule and the penalty. Its already in the CBA. MLB is just saying they are going to enforce something the MLBPA already agreed to years ago.

          6 Like
          Reply
        • rememberthecoop

          3 weeks ago

          THIS.

          Like
          Reply
        • Polish Hammer

          3 weeks ago

          Helmets, flaps on the ear, arm sleeves, elbow pads, ankles and shin guards, more equipment than some NFL players wear in a full contact sport. All so they can hang out over the plate and take that inner strike zone away from the pitchers. Want to wear it? Fine, but you need to leave it on once you get on base and not the constant TOs to take it all off and hand to the base coaches.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          @Polish Hammer

          Those NFL players also don’t have 100 mph coming at their soft spots. they don’t need to cover their joints most times

          1 Like
          Reply
        • brodie-bruce

          3 weeks ago

          @put & polish i say if batters wanna wear riot gear at the plate let them, they wear because of mental reasons performance wise it doesn’t help there swing.

          on a side not what i think would speed the game up if gm/pbo start valuing contact guys and guys that can play d. yes advanced metrics will build you a “winner” but an almost unwatchable winner. i might be in the minority but i wanna watch a game that the players dictate making them forgotten “web gems” than a brain trust of nerds dictating a game into 3 outcomes k, hr, and walk because there the safe play, imo no matter what mlb dose in rule changes until fo break this Philosophy they have we’re just going to have to get used to boring bb.

          Like
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        • WereAllJustGuestsHere

          3 weeks ago

          They wear padding for mental reasons? You mean they can be more comfortable and confident in the batters box because they are well protected?

          That’s a performance enhancer. That’s cheating more so than the substance pitchers use for better spin and control. You made a case to ban arm guards on hitters. And you are right on one point; you take them off, hitters will need to adjust the way they approach an at bat. No hitter should get too comfortable against the best pitchers in the world.

          Like
          Reply
        • Dad

          3 weeks ago

          Agreed, if you have to have it to bat , you need it to field !

          Like
          Reply
      • Pads Fans

        3 weeks ago

        This is the 2nd year in a row they have sent a memo to the teams about it. This time they laid out how they are going to measure it and that there will be penalties not only for players, but other team personnel.

        MLB wants more action in baseball and pitchers breaking the rules by doctoring baseballs creates less action. MLB is serious about it. There will be suspensions.

        BTW, the Astros took a system already in place at the Yankees in 2015, 2016, and 2017, one the Yankees were penalized for in 2017, and used it after Beltran brought it to the Astros. The only difference for the Astros was the use of a trashcan instead of hand signals to the batter. So please stop the high horse BS. They didn’t do anything that most other teams were not already doing. They just continued to do it after the September memo from Manfred telling teams to stop.

        4 Like
        Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          3 weeks ago

          Do you actually think the Astros didn’t use buzzers?

          A team as technically advanced as the Astros just used trashcans?

          Seriously?

          9 Like
          Reply
        • coupofthecentury

          3 weeks ago

          @Halo11Fan that ‘buzzer’ allegation was from a troll twitter account who claimed to be related to Beltran btw. But I hope the Angels keep all their players alive this season unlike a certain previous one.

          Like
          Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          3 weeks ago

          And he didn’t want his shirt ripped off because of a tattoo? You kidding me?

          You actually think the Astros stopped at trashcans?

          I shouldn’t respond to Astro are not big cheating comments, but sometimes people’s takes are absurd.

          9 Like
          Reply
        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          @Halo11Fan

          You’re just a salty Angels fan.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          @Putpeteetc-
          But…what possible reason would an Angels fan have to be “salty” over this?
          Ya know?

          That stuff didn’t sit well with *any* fan base. It was the first time I’ve ever experienced a team being hated more than the Yanks. That’s notable, bro.

          2 Like
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          You believe in buzzers, unicorns and the tooth fairy too? #1 when the buzzer thing was supposed to have happened in 2019, they didn’t have access to the video feed, so having buzzers would have been a moot point. If there is no video feed, you have nothing to buzz about. #2, the Astros were not the only team caught doing the same thing in 2017. They were one of 12 teams that were caught. 3 were penalized including the Yankees and Red Sox.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          Some teams just aren’t capable of playing by the rules Koamalu

          Like
          Reply
        • Hudson6

          3 weeks ago

          @ Pads Fans

          Do you have the link that 12 teams were caught? I Googled it and all I got was “10-12 teams accused the Astros of cheating.”

          2 Like
          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          @Hudson6 hey look out bro! He’s gonna tell you to Google it.

          Then accuse you of being wcr.

          Like
          Reply
        • paule

          3 weeks ago

          Say it ain’t so Astro

          Like
          Reply
        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          @Ducky

          He’s probably salty his FO( and before I go any farther I want to make clear that I am a Giants fan, and I’m not a fan of the Astros. I think they should’ve been given more than a slap on the wrist) can’t get a good pitcher. Also, he’s probably salty the Astros always win the division, with the occasional Oakland success

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          I don’t know about all that.
          What I do know is that Halo11 has a lot of good baseball insight & isn’t a HOTTAKE machine at all.

          (shrugs one shoulder)

          Like
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          3 weeks ago

          @Ducky – Truth, my friend. I’ve had many exchanges with @Halo11, oftentimes disagreeing with him in the past. However, we have simply disagreed from our positions, with an information exchange back and forth, usually with some positive acknowledgment one way or the other in the process. He’s on every conversation board and has generally good baseball knowledge and insight. One might classify him as a true fan of the game –

          He’s been very objective about his team and their shortcomings from what I’ve read and I find he’s typically a strong contributor, conversationally.

          Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          That’s pretty much my exact same experience, Clip. He’s a classy poster with some great baseball stories. If I ever ran into him at a pub I’d certainly stand him to an ale or three or four.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • I’mJustBetter

          3 weeks ago

          It’s almost like every other Altuve walkoff, they tore off his jersey. If they were using a buzzer that season, you’d think you woulda saw it by now with the amount of times they did that.

          Like
          Reply
      • Pads Fans

        3 weeks ago

        One last thing. There is no falling viewership. There is a change in HOW people are viewing games. Just like people are moving to HULU and NETFLIX instead of broadcast TV, people are moving to streaming services for their baseball games. More people than ever are watching via MLB.tv and MLB Extra Innings and on streaming services like YouTubeTV, SlingTV, fuboTV, AT&TTV, and others. Sources of viewership that are not counted in Nielsen TV ratings.

        According to MLB in presentations to advertisers, in 2019 more people watched a live baseball game than in any year EVER and baseball revenue went up 12%.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • WereAllJustGuestsHere

          3 weeks ago

          Age demographic is way up. That is a concern. The high offense clearly isn’t resonating with the younger crowd. That is enough to show falling viewership if you can’t target 18-35 and look to the future with security.

          Like
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          The demographic of baseball viewers overall has gone down 1.3 years since 2014. The demographic of baseball season ticket holders and those who watch on broadcast TV have skewed older. Ask to advertise with MLB, especially on their streaming platforms. They will send you a presentation that spells it all out.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • WereAllJustGuestsHere

          3 weeks ago

          You mean the misleading presentations they make to corporate sponsors to convince them to hand over millions of dollars on a yearly basis? No thanks. They are targeting the same demo baseball still holds onto and that demo are buyers. Thankfully their fanbase is a buyer base. Baseballs platform presence is lagging behind.

          Like
          Reply
        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          No. The presentations are filled with data, facts, and given to corporate sponsors that are much more informed than you are. You don’t lay out millions for advertising campaigns unless you have data to show who your target market is and what your ROI will be. Get real. The people spending millions on advertising are not schmucks. MLB runs sophisticated data capture programs and know exactly what they have to offer and the buyers know what they are getting into. That you don’t understand how marketing works today says volumes. You probably don’t even know how much the cookies from this site and its advertisers is gathering about you and what permissions you have granted them. That is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of data that MLB captures.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • jim stem

          3 weeks ago

          Not many people under the age of 30 can watch and focus on a slow moving baseball game for 3 hours, another reason for pace of play changes.

          I personally buy the mlb package, watch my Mets after the game, bypassing commercial breaks. I also watch almost every game’s 3 minute recap. How many people are going to sit in a chair indoors and watch a 3 hour game post-Covid? Not this guy.

          Like
          Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          One of the things I’ve always loved about baseball (as opposed to football & boxing) is the fact that I can do other things while I’m listening to or watching a game.

          Streaming has upped the ante on that. At most, I’ll “just” watch an entire game from start to finish a couple dozen times a year. At the same time, I never actually miss a game.

          Man.
          I’d be completely insane if I’d gone through what a lot of people did last year. I’m in construction so essential industry. & hunting & fishing were never closed down because sportsman were social distancing before it was cool, man.

          The very last thing I’d want to do would be watch anything on a television if I’d been locked down, too.

          Like
          Reply
    • mro940

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah, Bauer and Cole are about to be merely above average rather than other wordly. Good news is maybe fewer Angel pitchers will require elbow surgery :|

      7 Like
      Reply
      • A73

        3 weeks ago

        Facts

        1 Like
        Reply
        • mrtriandos

          3 weeks ago

          Can they use domestic substances?

          1 Like
          Reply
      • stpbaseball

        3 weeks ago

        perhaps but it will be interesting if the new dead ball kills any advantage this gives hitters.

        Like
        Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        3 weeks ago

        Yeah, wait until batters start getting hit in the face. Probably will ease off a bit and allow the grippy stuff that currently prevents that……. just sayin’.

        Like
        Reply
    • Arthur Morgan

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah, because there aren’t any other pitchers using substances………

      Like
      Reply
    • A73

      3 weeks ago

      So are the Yankees cole was average at best before he started using his “special stuff”
      “Hey Bubba, it’s Gerrit Cole,” the text reads. “I was wondering if you could help me out with this sticky situation [winky face emoji]. We don’t see you until May, but we have some road games in April that are in cold weather places. The stuff I had last year seizes up when it gets cold …”

      During the interview, Harkins claims, he identified Cole, Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber, Joba Chamberlain, Adam Wainwright and Tyler Chatwood among the pitchers who previously asked for his specific blend of pine tar and rosin, which became popular throughout the league after he made it for former closer Troy Percival more than 20 years ago.

      8 Like
      Reply
      • smuzqwpdmx

        3 weeks ago

        Oh no, Tyler Chatwood will be a shadow of his former self. Blue Jays are doomed.

        Like
        Reply
    • donotinteruptMYkungfu

      3 weeks ago

      *All teams paying top dollar for a high spin rate pitcher will regret those contracts…

      Like
      Reply
    • Wendell

      3 weeks ago

      Dodgers are still gonna kick everyone’s a** ^_^

      Like
      Reply
    • FredMcGriff for the HOF

      3 weeks ago

      Good. It’s way past time for foreign substances to be regulated. Pitchers are basically advertising they are doing it. Put the umpires and camera technology to use.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • astrosfansince1974

      3 weeks ago

      But but Bauer accused the Astros of cheating himself and no one who cheats would ever accuse someone else of cheating! Right, Fiers? When are you returning that ring and your World Series money?

      5 Like
      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        3 weeks ago

        Astros cheating is very different than this situation. You all cheated to a championship and I won’t engage your joke of a defense any further. I can’t stand Bauer, but the two situations aren’t remotely comparable.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • Prospectnvstr

          3 weeks ago

          Cheating is cheating. A sin is a sin.

          2 Like
          Reply
      • Lurking

        3 weeks ago

        “ and no one who cheats would ever accuse someone else of cheating!”

        When 75% of the league uses the same substances, you pick and choose who you hate over it? Interesting

        1 Like
        Reply
    • bot

      3 weeks ago

      All Bauer haters are just that – haters. He’s been telling all of us everyone cheats and y’all hate him for it. The Cole contract is WAY worse than Bauer’s and he’s WAY more average than Bauer without the pine tar and the stats prove it !

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        3 weeks ago

        I mean, there are legit reasons to dislike Bauer. I can stand him but I wouldn’t call him a cheater.

        Like
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    • Lurking

      3 weeks ago

      75% of the league supposedly doctors the ball. Think the whole league is in for a shock if they can actually police this

      But they won’t so it’s a moot point. Once hitters start getting in the helmet because they’re used to crowding the plate and pitchers don’t have their normal pin point control, this will be forgotten. Just being honest

      Like
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      • Prospectnvstr

        3 weeks ago

        What about the “steroid” era? 20,25,33.3,50,66.7, or 75%? No matter what % of the guys used steroids, it was widespread. Pitchers & hitters used it.
        It was used by healthy players & by those who tried to speed up recovery. If you don’t want it in the game, get your head out of the sand. They say they want more action in the game. If enforcing the rule & getting rid of the use of foreign substances helps them achieve their goal: (NIKE) “Just Do It”.

        Like
        Reply
  2. Dogbone

    3 weeks ago

    Manfred is a complete moron.

    5 Like
    Reply
    • troll

      3 weeks ago

      you’re a dogbone though

      2 Like
      Reply
  3. Arthur Morgan

    3 weeks ago

    What about trashcans? Any word on “attempting” to reduce the use of those?

    4 Like
    Reply
    • Johnny NewYork

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah! I’m with Arthur Morgan on this one! The trashcans! I love you, Arthur Morgan! #original #trash can

      Like
      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        3 weeks ago

        Arthur Morgan is a better man than you will ever be.

        Like
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        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          Coming from the kid…

          Like
          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          3 weeks ago

          Search the name Arthur Morgan into your web browser.

          Like
          Reply
        • rememberthecoop

          3 weeks ago

          M A N G O E S

          Like
          Reply
    • Cosmo2

      3 weeks ago

      Actually, yea, they did do something about the trash cans.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      Why? Are you still living in 2017? No trashcans since then.

      Like
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      • Arthur Morgan

        3 weeks ago

        That you know of………

        3 Like
        Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        3 weeks ago

        Yeah, @PadresFan, actually, you’re right. @ArthurMorgan, Altuve proved during his homerun off Chapman he was wearing a buzzer when he rounded third base………..

        1 Like
        Reply
  4. troll

    3 weeks ago

    why is it ok for mlb to doctor baseballs?

    4 Like
    Reply
  5. bauerbites

    3 weeks ago

    This will hurt baseball…again

    1 Like
    Reply
    • troll

      3 weeks ago

      no it won’t

      3 Like
      Reply
      • bauerbites

        3 weeks ago

        Hitters even prefer the foreign substances so yeah it will

        Like
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        • HalosHeavenJJ

          3 weeks ago

          The sharp increase in strikeouts the last few years tends to say otherwise.

          Yes, back in the day a bit of tack on the fingers was considered to help control. But now you have guys like Bauer significantly increasing their spin rate and movement thanks to chemistry. Hitters are at a huge disadvantage.

          5 Like
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        • michael pegarsch

          3 weeks ago

          Hitters prefer to use foreign substances while hitting… not facing pitchers who throw high velocity and doctor the ball. They don’t like that and it makes the game boring when no one makes contact

          Like
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        • champion1701

          3 weeks ago

          More spin rate with less control is not what the hitters want and that is what’s happening. If these pitchers could control thier doctored balls, I don’t think this would be an issue today.

          Like
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    • donotinteruptMYkungfu

      3 weeks ago

      A Home Run Derby every game will get boring

      1 Like
      Reply
      • WereAllJustGuestsHere

        3 weeks ago

        Baseball viewership already reflects that. Otherwise it would be up. Way up.

        Like
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      • stpbaseball

        3 weeks ago

        the new dead ball may prevent any derby

        Like
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    • bot

      3 weeks ago

      Hitters preferring a foreign substance is THE dumbest thing I’ve ever read on this site !!!!!!

      “I prefer a guy who throws 90 to be able to throw 93 w termendous spin. I may only hit 230 on the season but atleast I get beamed less”

      Dumbest belief ever. Indoctrinated into your mind by beat writers who work for ur team

      2 Like
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      • bauerbites

        3 weeks ago

        Foreign substances allow pitchers to have better control. Just because you wouldn’t like it doesn’t mean all hitters feel the same way you do idiot

        Like
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  6. FletcherFan69

    3 weeks ago

    Bauer and Cole BTFO

    5 Like
    Reply
  7. mlb1225

    3 weeks ago

    I’m happy they’re taking this direction as it will lead to what they want, more offense, and it won’t be affecting a major facet of how the game is played (ie like the extra inning rule), but I feel this is something they should’ve been doing all along.

    8 Like
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    • Samuel

      3 weeks ago

      @ mlb1225;

      Until MLB changes the rules to call a K after X amount of foul balls, this will continue.

      Batters are being coached to hit endless foul balls and run the pitch count up.

      In turn pitchers have to get a batter out. The primary way is get a missed bat after 2 strikes. To accomplish that the pitchers have to throw harder and harder, and put more and more spin on the ball. So now they’re cheating, as well as ruining their arms as endless TJ surgery’s are needed; in addition to the games lasting so long and the low parentage of balls being put in play (which is what spectators want to see).

      If you want more offense and more balls being put in play – which leads to better defense as well as more action and quicker games – then MLB must limit the foul balls. It’s been out of control for well over 10 years now, maybe 20…….yet few ever talk about it (once in a while I’ll see someone write up how many foul balls there were in the game vs. how many pitches were made, and it’s crazy). ML hitters are exceptional They can put more balls in play if they have to.

      P.S. And what makes you think if the put the ball over the plate with less spin, that the batters will hit it fair?

      2 Like
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      • WereAllJustGuestsHere

        3 weeks ago

        Hitters rarely flinch on curves and sliders anymore. Want to take a guess as to why? It’s the same reason they are allowed to crowd the plate. That, and umpires will warn pitchers on both teams. The foul ball issue would be solved by doing one thing. MLB1225 knows what that is.

        Extra offense is not solving baseballs problems. They are only compounding the problem.

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      • Ducky Buckin Fent

        3 weeks ago

        “to call a K after X amount of foul balls”
        Bro…like softball, @samuel? Gross.

        For a dude who trumpets his “baseball knowledge” (dubious at best) batters are not being coached to “hit endless foul balls”.
        There is a lot of debate as to whether that’s actually a skill. It is certainly not something being “taught”.

        Didn’t actually play ball did you, @Samual. Or you would understand what a silly take that is.

        “To accomplish this the pitchers have to throw harder & harder”. Again, childish notion, sir. Pitchers do all kinds of things with two strikes: breaking pitches away, in the dirt, change ups…there is a wide variety of approaches. (Obligatory: “do you watch baseball, sir?”) But…just keep on increasing velocity? Nah. Not as a general rule, bubby. Chapman can do that. Not many other guys though.

        Look.
        Keep the softball rules out of baseball.
        We did that in the beginning. No reason to rehash that nonsense.

        Spin rate (high & low, btw) has a lot to do with quality of contact. You need to read some Fangraphs, bro.

        But – hey – my Bitcoin is doing great.
        So there’s that.

        I hope you find this information helpful. I tried to provide a solution for you.
        You’re welcome.

        4 Like
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        • Yankee Clipper

          3 weeks ago

          Oh my……. speechless! Calling a strikeout after so many foul…. what?! It’s like the whole version of baseball. The problem with trying to appeal to the younger generation – you can’t. They’re not interested as a whole. You have to change too much of the game. If the game dies being the game then so be it. If we have to change the entire game to appeal to the current generation, then it’s a self-defeating proposition. I don’t really care tbh, if the younger generation is constantly amused or not. Minor changes, yes, change the game s as we know it, NO!

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        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          Yeah, I don’t get all this pearl clutching, hand wringing, suffering from a case of the vapours about “the future of the game”.

          Less than a hundred years ago, Polo was more popular than football & hoops. *Combined*. There’s even a Polo HOF.

          If baseball becomes a niche or exhibition sport…who cares? Ya know?

          Dude seems to want some type of Arena Baseball – or whatever. I don’t want that. At all. Blech.

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      • imbarrassing

        3 weeks ago

        “Batters are being coached to hit endless foul balls and run the pitch count up.”

        Yes but… That’s not really what’s happening That’s not a new concept on two strike counts and spoiling close pitches. Players are also coached to get on base and score runs. Which happens to be how to win the game.

        Also… This is just not true and a fundamental misunderstanding of the game. It’s nonsense. You’re implying there are hitters going up to the plate actively trying to not hit the ball fair. Let’s not even get into the reckless nature of that if it was true considering fans. That aside, what inning would this groundbreaking strategy take place? It wouldn’t. Your comment isn’t relevant to the discussion or even factual. Sorry dude but you’re very wrong.

        1 Like
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        • Polish Hammer

          3 weeks ago

          And hitters that are whiffing and striking out at an alarming rate can also somehow make enough contact bat will to foul the ball off numerous times to force a high pitch count?

          1 Like
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  8. iml12

    3 weeks ago

    Good! Insane that pitchers could blatantly get away with doctoring the ball.

    4 Like
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  9. troll

    3 weeks ago

    if players are caught, fine them severely. no slaps on the wrist of those making millions.

    1 Like
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    • Cosmo2

      3 weeks ago

      Players union won’t allow that

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      • Pads Fans

        3 weeks ago

        The rule against doctoring baseballs is already in the CBA. They can and they will “allow it”.

        1 Like
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        • Cosmo2

          3 weeks ago

          They won’t allow them to be “severely” fined just like they stopped the league from severely punishing the Astros.

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        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          Time for a primer in Labor Laws. MLB and the MLBPA operate under a collective bargaining agreement or CBA. Changes to working rules and conditions under a CBA are ruled by federal labor laws. There can be no rule CHANGES or penalties for workers to without the approval of both sides in writing and before the season begins. That would constitute changes in working conditions. If there is no agreement between both parties to the CBA on a new rule and the penalties, no penalties can be imposed on players.

          The penalties for doctoring a baseball are already in the CBA. The union will do nothing about this change in enforcement because they already agreed to both the rule and the penalties which include both fines an suspensions.

          There was no rule in the CBA against what the Astros did. In fact it had been used by at least 12 teams we know of in that 2017 season and the Yankees and Red Sox were fined for it and a memo sent out by Manfred in September of 2017 that spelled out that it was against the rules for the teams and what he could do in terms of penalties for the TEAMS, but since nothing was in the CBA, he could do nothing to penalize players.

          The Astros TEAM got the maximum penalty that the commissioner is allowed to impose on a team. The players could not be penalized, so they weren’t.

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        • astrosfansince1974

          3 weeks ago

          Thanks for explaining that. Probably wasted your time as no posters will care because it goes against their dogma

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        • Cosmo2

          3 weeks ago

          And pitchers can only get the maximum penalty allowed. That’s all I’m saying. I was rejecting the notion of “severely” which I took to imply an increase in punishment, which, I think we agree, the union would not allow.

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    • nottinghamforest13

      3 weeks ago

      They should go to prison for their rest of their lives.

      1 Like
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  10. kreckert

    3 weeks ago

    I just love it when MLB chooses to spend time on things that don’t matter.

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    • DarkSide830

      3 weeks ago

      to be fair theyre actually doing a lot between this, changing the ball, and the experimental rule changes in the Minors.

      1 Like
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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      Tell that to the hitters. Strike outs have gone up tremendously over the past few years as doctoring of baseballs to increase spin rate has become a science. Its already against the rules. MLB is just enforcing the rules.

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      • jim stem

        3 weeks ago

        Strikeouts are up because of hitting philosophies, upper cutting, trying to hit homers with 2 strikes instead of putting the ball in play, accepting 150 strike outs as long as a player hits 20 homers in useless situations.

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    • explodet

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah, this is dumb. Bring back spitballs! League-average ERA under 1.00 or bust!

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    • kreckert

      3 weeks ago

      Here’s the thing folks, strikeouts are up for a bunch or different reasons. Hitting philosophy, pitching philosophy, defensive philosophy, training philosophy. The whole damn game has devolved into strikeouts versus home runs and the idea that finally policing this issue is going to make a significant dent is preposterous.

      Because pitchers have always done this to the point that some teams have institutionalized it. It’s been done in every era in the history of the sport, whether that era happened to be pitcher or hitter dominated. And while I don’t doubt that it’s been effective for certain pitchers, the idea that its overall impact on the game in any era is anything more than marginal is ludicrous.

      And, by the way, I don’t mind them policing it. It’s what they always should’ve been doing. I mind them making a story out of it. Because if MLB has proven anything in recent years they’ve proven that they have great skill at trying to look like they’re doing something to address the game’s problems while actually doing next to nothing. Rob Manfred just loves to distract us while he puts bandaids on bullet wounds and I doubt very much that this is anything more than that.

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  11. michael pegarsch

    3 weeks ago

    Might as well drop Trevor Bauer from your fantasy team now lol

    3 Like
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    • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

      3 weeks ago

      I was smart enough not to pick him. The roller coaster he is says this is a down year

      1 Like
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      • Cosmo2

        3 weeks ago

        Very overrated player.

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        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          I absolutely agree. I’ve always thought that about Bauer, and now that he makes it clear he used substances the one season he’s been good, I have no doubt in my mind

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        • Lurking

          3 weeks ago

          Cosmos, the last 3 years indicate he’s a top 15 pitcher in the game statistically. Last I checked that would qualify as TOR pitcher

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        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          @Lurking

          Woah hold up! The last 3 years? He had a 4.48 era in 2019. Sure, 2018 was a good year, as was 2020* for Bauer. But I see 2019 and I walk away. Kershaw, DeGrom, even Verlander haven’t had a year like that, just to name a few, and yes I know, it isn’t fair to include DeGrom and Kershaw as comparisons

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      • Lurking

        3 weeks ago

        “
        I was smart enough not to pick him. The roller coaster he is says this is a down year”

        Hahahaha. Yeah because the dodgers are known for having players come to their team and instantly decline while in their prime. Okay buddy. Keep dreaming

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        • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

          3 weeks ago

          @Lurking

          Are you a Dodgers fan or something? Let me state his ERAs for every year of his career, from year 1:
          6.06, 5.29, 4.18, 4.55, 4.26, 4.19, 2.21, 4.48, 1.73.
          TWO years he had a sub-4.18 ERA. TWO. Does that sound like a guy who is good to you? And, I know you won’t like this, but one of the two years was in a 60-game season that will always have an asterisk next to it. I assume you think the Dodgers won a REAL World Series?

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  12. DarkSide830

    3 weeks ago

    breaking news: authority attempts to control illegal activity that falls under it’s jurisdiction. love that this even has to be news.

    3 Like
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    • Brixton

      3 weeks ago

      I mean, mlb actually enforcing anything is news, considering Bregman, Altuve, Springer and soon to be Correa all got the terrible punishment of 100M+ contracts

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  13. HalosHeavenJJ

    3 weeks ago

    Let’s see if they actually enforce it.

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  14. Pads Fans

    3 weeks ago

    Bauer is so screwed. He actually said in several posts how much doctoring the ball increases his spin rate.

    2 Like
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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Like greenies, it wasn’t a secret. No one cared. Visiting clubhouses supplied such things.

      It will likely affect them, but I didn’t consider greenies immoral and I don’t consider pine tar immoral.

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      • Pads Fans

        3 weeks ago

        Its not immoral. But is is going to ruin Bauer’s season. He will go back to being mediocre. Back to being a 4+ ERA starter. $40 million for 4+ ERA. Makes me smile.

        2 Like
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        • jim stem

          3 weeks ago

          Bauer will go back to his average numbers simply because he won’t just be facing sub-.500 teams 11 times.

          2 Like
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    • thelegendaryharambe

      3 weeks ago

      I agree Koamalu

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      • Pads Fans

        3 weeks ago

        Ryan/PitcherWins/harambe/tatsumaki. What should we call you today?

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        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          Why you mad? I said I agree with you. Don’t you like it when people agree with you?

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        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          Ryan/PitcherWins/Harambe/Tasumaki Not mad at all. Asking a serious question. In your case, projection is a real thing. You accuse others of doing what you are obviously doing.

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        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          Well if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black…

          PS: Are you ever going to drop a link from someone credible saying the charges against Luis Campusano were reduced to a misdemeanor? Or are you just going to tell us to Google it like you always do across your many backup accounts?

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        • Padres2019ha

          3 weeks ago

          If anyone has more than one account you seriously need to re evaluate your life

          1 Like
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        • Padres2019ha

          3 weeks ago

          It’s that serious

          1 Like
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        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          @Pads Fans/Koamalu Lol got real quiet once I brought up your lie about Luis Campusano’s charges getting reduced to a misdemeanor eh?

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        • Padres2019ha

          3 weeks ago

          Dude who cares good job. Get a life. Stop using lol it’s what chicks and minors say

          1 Like
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        • thelegendaryharambe

          3 weeks ago

          And finally @Pads Fans, look at what Lance McCullers Jr. just got. So much for your assertion that “More teams bidding means a higher price paid than 1 team bidding. Every time. 100%. Without question.”

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  15. Baseball 1600

    3 weeks ago

    Glad to see this, the spin rates are getting ridiculously high because of foreign substances (talking about a 200% increase on a dude’s curveball year-to-year, it’s insane)

    1 Like
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  16. Rangers29

    3 weeks ago

    The league definitely wants more offense… but I hate this so much. Pitchers love the grip and spin rate it gives them, and the batters don’t hate it either. Let’s just see how MLB tries to implement this on some of their best players. At least we finally have an answer to the question of whether or not you can really use substance.

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  17. Halo11Fan

    3 weeks ago

    Like greenies, most everyone did this. It was out in the open. No one really complained. I don’t consider this cheating. One of the requirements of cheating is gaining an unfair advantage.

    That said, there are some teams… Houston for example. who made this part of their pitching prep, and I think they are going to suffer.

    I’m curious how this will effect pitching and pitching staffs next year.

    1 Like
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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      Bauer is going to suffer. Cole is going to suffer. Fans are going to love the increase in action in the game as more and more hitters put the ball in play.

      1 Like
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      • Arthur Morgan

        3 weeks ago

        The only two pitchers to use substances, right? Delusional Pads fan………

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        • Pads Fans

          3 weeks ago

          They are most vocal and visible adherents of the spin rate at all costs philosophy of pitching. They will certainly not be the only ones that suffer. This will bring down spin rates which will increase balls in play which will mean more runs scored. They will just be the philosophy’s two high priests/high profile players coming down to earth.

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        • lordd99

          3 weeks ago

          Darvish.

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      • Lurking

        3 weeks ago

        You do realize Lamet’s amazing rise to success can very likely be attributed to the same thing you’re dancing around is now going to be banned..?

        You think he magically improved last year with nothing to cause it? How dumb are you?

        You are insane to think this only affects 2 teams. But then again we’ve seen enough of your other takes to know there’s no reason to take your opinion seriously

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  18. greatgame

    3 weeks ago

    Its pretty obvious that pitchers who often get blisters are using the stuff

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    • DarkSide830

      3 weeks ago

      how much had Aaron Sanchez have to have been using?

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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Nolan Ryan got blisters all the time. I don’t think the two are connected.

      1 Like
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    • lordd99

      3 weeks ago

      Not obvious at all.

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    • Lurking

      3 weeks ago

      Or they throw a spike curveball moron

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  19. bobtillman

    3 weeks ago

    Any pitcher who gets caught doctoring the baseball will get a good hard spanking….except Bauer, who admits he likes that sort of thing.

    So MLB can change the stiches, et al, to get the ball to the point where your grandmother can hit it 450 feet, but pitchers can’t “cheat”…..ya, OK.

    1 Like
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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      If no one considers it cheating, is it cheating?

      If everyone agrees to get 400 for landing on Go in Monopoly, is that cheating?

      This isn’t steroids that was done in the dark, this is Cole asking the Angels clubhouse attendant to provide him stickem. This is Bauer saying that he uses it. And no player called them cheaters.

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    • Rangers29

      3 weeks ago

      “Any pitcher who gets caught doctoring the baseball will get a good hard spanking….except Bauer, who admits he likes that sort of thing.”

      Bauer likes being spanked?

      1 Like
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      • nottinghamforest13

        3 weeks ago

        He’s the Goldust of baseball.

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      • bobtillman

        3 weeks ago

        Only if he can throw the paddle into the CF stands.

        1 Like
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  20. Sabermetric Acolyte

    3 weeks ago

    So I’m guessing this is because of the Harkins’s lawsuit?

    If so then my guess is this is more of a “nudge nudge wink wink” rather than anything else. Truthfully I doubt MLB cares about cheating just the perception of it. People remember the outrage of the steroids scandal but the truth was everyone knew. There was a St. Louis writer who was basically told to shut up when he showed evidence of McGwire cheating during the summer where McGwire and Sosa were racing to 62 home runs. On top of that you had Canseco and about a half dozen other former players happily admitting steroid use.

    Point being, maybe one or 2 pitchers get tossed this year for using foreign substances. The ones that are blatantly obvious like Michael Pineda was.

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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      “People remember the outrage of the steroids scandal but the truth was everyone knew. ”

      WRONG. Players lied about PEDs in front of congress.. Players said they didn’t see people taking them.

      Cole calls an Angel clubhouse attendant. Bauer posts it on social media. You’re way off base. You’re revisionist.

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      • Cosmo2

        3 weeks ago

        Everyone knew. At least eventually. By the time players lied in front of congress anyone of intelligence knew. Most knew well before that.

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      • PeteWard8

        3 weeks ago

        Canseco said 80% of baseball was using steroids. Pedro Martinez estimated between 50% and 60% were using steroids.

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      • Sabermetric Acolyte

        3 weeks ago

        I’m talking about before the congressional hearings. Yeah that may have lit the flame but any half intelligent baseball fan knew there were enough players accused of PED use or simply could figure out from the sudden increase of home runs that steroids and other substances were being used. Players kept talking about it being the worst kept secret.

        So revisionist, no. Just a realist.

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        • Halo11Fan

          3 weeks ago

          People testified in front of congress that they had no first hand knowledge of players taking steroids.

          Everyone had first hand knowledge of people taking greenies. Everyone had first hand knowledge of pitchers using pine tar.

          Apples and Oranges.

          Everyone considered PEDs cheating (gaining an unfair advantage) no one considered pine tar or greenies cheating.

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        • Sabermetric Acolyte

          3 weeks ago

          Dirty little secret of baseball, cheating is part of the game and has been since the beginning and there’s always a great excuse. I doubt the players who took steroids thought of it as cheating.

          The only time MLB pretends they notice is when they think the negative press will actually cost them money. The difference with the steroid scandal is an outside body forced the issue.

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      • Lurking

        3 weeks ago

        You really think PED in 2000s were the first form of PEDs? They’ve been around for 50 years. Everyone knew. It was fake outrage to keep a public image

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  21. Lloyd Emerson

    3 weeks ago

    This is a joke. Hey Manfred, how’s that Mickey Callaway investigation going? What a crock.

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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Lloyd. People have rights.

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  22. Dunk Dunkington

    3 weeks ago

    Nothing more than a PR stunt by MLB saying they are cracking down on this, nothing is going to change which is a good thing.

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    • Halo11Fan

      3 weeks ago

      Dunk.

      Because batters and pitchers know about this, and don’t care, maybe it is a PR move.

      I remember when Frank Robinson got Donnally kicked out of a game for having pine tar on his glove, Scioscia was quoted saying everyone uses it. Would you rather a pitch slip out of a pitchers hand?

      This is not a secret. No one cared. Not pitchers, not hitters.

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      • Vizionaire

        3 weeks ago

        manfraud does now after all these years.

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    • imbarrassing

      3 weeks ago

      It’s a way to minimize the annoyance of blowhard talking heads whining about sanctity.

      1 Like
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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      2nd year in a row MLB has made a point of sending out a memo about this. The rule is already in the CBA, so nothing the union or the players can say about MLB enforcing it. Now MLB has said HOW they are going to enforce it. Enforcing it increases balls in play which MLB says they want. Players will be fined and suspended this season.

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      • Jim Scott

        3 weeks ago

        But how will mlb choose the players to be examined? If it is true that a high number of mlb players use substances, and if they do not stop as a result of this notification, where does mlb start? If the first player they pick is Cole, and he gets suspended, is that Yankee bashing?

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      • Lurking

        3 weeks ago

        Hey genius. If they keep sending a memo but you hear of no punishment it’s almost like they don’t want to open that can of worms. Nothing better than having 75% of the league suspended!

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  23. dopt

    3 weeks ago

    Im all for allowing them to get away with whatever they want to use. Players cork bats
    They need to raise the mound again. Not move it back.

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  24. jdgoat

    3 weeks ago

    I hope so. We’re probably going to see some recent breakout guys over the past couple of years fall back down to earth. Some of the movement these guys get is just too nasty to hit, and a bit of a correction is needed. Hopefully this will lead to a reduction in K’s and more balls in play.

    2 Like
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  25. Allen Adams

    3 weeks ago

    ok let’s slow play even more

    1 Like
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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      Less spin rate will increase balls in play and speed up the game.

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      • Vizionaire

        3 weeks ago

        11 runs in an inning will?

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  26. imbarrassing

    3 weeks ago

    Lame flex against the players union. Ridiculous.

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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      The rule is already in the CBA. The union has already agree to the rule and the penalties.

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  27. Rangers29

    3 weeks ago

    MLB gonna bring spitballers back during the Covid era. Good job MLB!

    2 Like
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    • Ducky Buckin Fent

      3 weeks ago

      Hey now!

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  28. 609Collectibles

    3 weeks ago

    All Trevor Bauer’s fault

    1 Like
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  29. hozie007

    3 weeks ago

    Putting something on a ball is one thing…getting some tack on your fingers is another. People who have never pitched at a high level should try throwing an MLB ball to a batter when there’s adverse conditions….you lose control and that puts peoples lives in danger…or at the very least their immediate career.

    2 Like
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    • Pads Fans

      3 weeks ago

      That is what a rosin bag is for.

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      • lordd99

        3 weeks ago

        Doesn’t work.

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        • Yankee Clipper

          3 weeks ago

          Lord99, he obviously hasn’t played above tee ball.

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  30. Excillon

    3 weeks ago

    I’ve always wondered why pitchers don’t wear a glove on their throwing hand to improve grip similar to batting gloves. Would help with blisters too, I’m sure someone could design something usable.

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    • bobtillman

      3 weeks ago

      Don’t suggest that idea to Chaim Bloom. Every Red Sox pitcher will be required to wear a boxing glove on the mound.

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    • WereAllJustGuestsHere

      3 weeks ago

      Pitchers can’t. It is against the rules to wear a glove on the throwing hand. They are also not allowed to wear a wrist band on their throwing hand, and judging by the way MLB treats it’s pitchers they are also not allowed a Pension, a career or sustain success..

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  31. Cohn Joppolella

    3 weeks ago

    They need to allow the spitball again as part of the next agreement.

    1 Like
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  32. Padres2019ha

    3 weeks ago

    Bauer has $100 milly reasons to go ahead and suck again and follow the rules

    2 Like
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  33. HubcapDiamondStarHalo

    3 weeks ago

    If they’re using spin rate, they pretty much HAVE to go by whatever data they already have on guys… Meaning those who use the stuff have to continue using it or come up with a creative explanation as to why their spin rate dropped so quickly…

    Using a stat like that to enforce a rule is pretty much a “hoping to control it ten years from now” measure at best.

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  34. explodet

    3 weeks ago

    MLB doing something that isn’t some stupid arbitrary rule change that fundamentally alters the sport? Did Manfred have a stroke?

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    • thelegendaryharambe

      3 weeks ago

      Need to get rid of the runner on 2nd in extra innings thing yesterday

      2 Like
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  35. MikeyHammer

    3 weeks ago

    With the abysmal contact rates, the most foreign substance finding its way on to baseballs seems to be bats.

    1 Like
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    • imbarrassing

      3 weeks ago

      One commenter here disagrees. They believe hitters are actively trying to not get hits. Revolutionary if true(it’s not).

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  36. RJNarvick

    3 weeks ago

    A real Bauer outage coming soon!

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  37. Vizionaire

    3 weeks ago

    pitchers will start throwing knucklers killing offense. manfraud will cry foul again!

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  38. sufferfortribe

    3 weeks ago

    Stop messing with the game.

    1 Like
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    • Yankee Clipper

      3 weeks ago

      “STOP MESSING WITH THE GAME”

      Succinct, cogent, perfectly complete.

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  39. gugui

    3 weeks ago

    Totally disagree with that
    Everything is on hitters advance.

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  40. suddendepth

    3 weeks ago

    I’m good with this if they start cracking down on hitters with stupid amounts of tar on their bat handles. Carlos Santana and Cesar Hernandez come to mind. I also agree with the commenters who say any armor worn to the plate needs to be worn on the bases.

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  41. RO-MACEN

    3 weeks ago

    how will mlb interpret their stat cast baseline? pitchers have been doing this forever. if you have less spin rate does that mean you’re clean?

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  42. oof

    3 weeks ago

    Mike Fiers is punching the air right now

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  43. Cubs Dynasty

    3 weeks ago

    An entire team can cheat to get a WS win…but don’t put spit or Vaseline on that baseball

    3 Like
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  44. lordd99

    3 weeks ago

    So the 95% of pitchers who use some substance to grip the ball are going to be disciplined? What about the pitchers whose seasons start in colder weather climates? Will pitchers who have great spin rates from prior seasons therefore be grandfathered in since the days already shows they have higher spin rates? What about young pitchers who develop better grips and release points? Are they just assumed to be using an illegal substance?

    Once again, Manfred focused on the “right” things.

    Like
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    • Ducky Buckin Fent

      3 weeks ago

      Get ready for a whole bunch of HBP’s.
      That’ll solve everything, uh?

      Like
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      • jim stem

        3 weeks ago

        McNeil literally has more hbp than hits this spring. Of course he had a shoulder pad on his elbow…

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    • bot

      3 weeks ago

      It’s either a rule or it isn’t. If it’s a rule – then inforce it ! 5 hour games aren’t good for the league but that’s what you’ll get when u enforce this rule. It’ll also be complete chaos bc u r right – 95% of pitcher CHEAT according to current rules.

      I know if I’m a below average power hitter w 40+ homer potential I’ll 100% take a few more pitches off the back side and make millions more than not get beamed. Terrible argument Bucky my friend. Inforce the rules or change em. But MLB is just like USA- all talk. All these dudes will cheat and they’ll do nothing about it. Just like federal government officials do

      Like
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      • PutPeteRoseInTheHall

        3 weeks ago

        Now, I’m just curious. Is baseball your favorite sport? If so, why are 5-hour games bad?

        Like
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      • Ducky Buckin Fent

        3 weeks ago

        So change it then.
        Batters endorse it. So it’s not really creating some type of advantage.

        It’s blowback from 100 years ago (1920) & the Ray Chapman death.

        I struggle to lable this as “cheating”. It’s fine if you want to. Ya know? We don’t have to agree on everything, man. I see an outdated rule that needs to be modernized.

        1 Like
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        • Yankee Clipper

          3 weeks ago

          Wait until Trout or someone of equal status has his face broken. It will not be a good thing, because literally no players support this effort.

          Ironically, they all supported disciplining the Astors heavily for cheating to a championship, buuuuuut, absolutely nothing came from that inquiry.

          Now, some Astros fans are citing this cheating as a rebuttal to their demonstrably worse offenses.

          #AstrosCan’tWin4Real

          Like
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        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          3 weeks ago

          Yeah.
          To me, the fact that hitters are trying to put the brakes on this says it all.

          I really hope nothing like that needs to happen. Why can’t some common sense be used with this?

          Like
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        • Yankee Clipper

          3 weeks ago

          No clue. We are about safety of players. So are the players, obviously, which is why they want the pitcher to control the ball coming out of their hand at 90-100 mph with partial grips.

          I abhor cheating, but this was openly supported several times as long as the pitcher wasn’t wearing an extra layer of it on the mound, ala Pineda.

          1 Like
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  45. jorge78

    3 weeks ago

    Good for MLB!

    Like
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  46. forwhomjoshbelltolled

    3 weeks ago

    Some nine figure contracts might stop looking so good.

    Some pitching coaches might not be such “geniuses” any more.

    Like
    Reply
  47. jim stem

    3 weeks ago

    So a pitcher bats, gets pine tar on his hands, then what? How about the CATCHER? Maybe pine tar should just be banned in general?

    Like
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    • Yankee Clipper

      3 weeks ago

      Unless it’s made in America

      Like
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  48. mikefults

    3 weeks ago

    They should give every pitcher a pine tar rag. Less hitters will get drilled unintentionally.

    Like
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  49. Yankee Clipper

    3 weeks ago

    So let me try to parse out the logic here. They are trying to change the game to be more exciting by creating more offense, mostly, so they decided to change it at the very core was the most effectual.

    But, all while promoting that, they decided to deaden the ball, then create more walks (by their decision to vehemently pursue foreign substance users) due to HBP & lack of control, then combine that with pace-of-play initiatives at the lower levels as in-game experiments, and, finally, have equitable distribution of monies so teams get taxed and don’t want to spend in FA while the lower-tier teams don’t have to use their own money and also don’t want to spend.

    Well, it’s working out great fellas, keep up the good work! Or, you could just leave the game alone because you keep screwing something up every time you mess with it (much like politicians).

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  50. soaktherich

    3 weeks ago

    The easy answer to catching guys who have been doctoring the ball for years is to be sure to test for substances on balls thrown by all pitchers in the top decile of spin rates.

    Also, the argument that you’d rather let the pitcher doctor the ball to improve his grip, lest he bean the batter, is specious. If you can’t control the ball without that help, you won’t last that long in the big leagues and don’t deserve to.

    Like
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  51. 1984wasntamanual

    3 weeks ago

    Will they be going after other players too, or just pitchers? Anyone remember when the ball literally stuck to Molina’s chest protector?

    1 Like
    Reply
  52. Ggg$$$ 2

    3 weeks ago

    Damn you guys are leaving like biograohys of your comments lmao. what substances are they talking about. Besides the regular ones we all know of which is around 6 types.

    Is KY jelly one of them anyone can actually list the other ones guys like us may not know about

    Please help lol

    Like
    Reply
  53. Ggg$$$ 2

    3 weeks ago

    Damn you guys are leaving like biograohys of your comments lmao. what substances are they talking about. Besides the regular ones we all know of which is around 6 types.

    Is KY jelly one of them anyone can actually list the other ones guys like us may not know about

    Please help

    Like
    Reply
  54. nrd1138

    2 weeks ago

    I wonder what the umpires have to say about this? They are part of the problem aren’t they? I mean, they often look at the baseball if asked to or if it gets fouled off and they want to examine it before giving it back to the pitcher or tossing it. You are trying to tell me they do not see the substance, or feel it, on the ball at all? One would assume the use of pine tar would cause spots to be found on the ball where dirt is sticking to it… So where have the umpires been this whole time that the substance is being used rampantly? Are they going to now call attention to it during games finally?
    I mean if anything this will separate good pitchers from average pitchers. One would presume that good pitchers need less of this, if any at all, to get the balls to move or break.. Then again without this substance maybe it causes more TJ injuries because the pitchers have to put more torque on the elbow for Splitters, Slurves, and sliders?

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