MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday said that he "would entertain shortening the regular season if there was interest in doing so," according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. Manfred: "I don't think length of season is a topic that can't ever be discussed. I don't think it would be impossible to go back to 154 (games)." Manfred said that the season's length is "not at the top of his mind, adding that insiders he talks to don't think having a season of 162 games is something that needs to be dealt with anytime soon." He said that concerns over pace of play are "taking the priority." Rovell noted any change to the length of the season "would have to be collectively bargained" with the MLBPA (ESPN.com, 2/23). Manfred also addressed several topics in a press conference yesterday while visiting the Cactus League in Arizona, and said that he "remains committed to adopting a policy on discipline for players involved in domestic violence, although he has missed his timetable for an agreement with the players union before spring training." In L.A., Bill Shaikin notes such situations "currently are handled on a case-by-case basis." Manfred said that educational sessions on domestic violence "will be held in major and minor league clubhouses this spring, in conjunction with the union." He added that he "hopes to strike a deal with the union by opening day on a discipline protocol." Manfred: "Frankly, I would be disappointed if we were not able to come to an agreement" (L.A. TIMES, 2/24). MLB.com's Phil Rogers noted Manfred acknowledged the "possibility that MLB will renew its efforts to implement an international draft" during negotiations for the next CBA. Manfred also hinted that the sweepstakes for Cuban IF Yoan Moncada, won by the Red Sox, "could help drive the push" (MLB.com, 2/23).
PACE SETTER: In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes if Manfred "succeeds in shortening games to under three hours, as he said was his goal, he'll have accomplished something his predecessor has been talking about for years." Manfred suggested that his stance on the pace-of-play issue "was one of the reasons he got the job." Manfred: "I don't think people quite believe me about this, but this topic actually emerged as a pretty significant issue of discussion during the selection process for commissioner. People internally we're really talking about this as a significant issue, so I've been on pretty firm footing with clubs in this regard." Sullivan writes pitch clocks "may be inevitable but not before" the next CBA. Manfred said that the experiment of
using a pitch clock in the Arizona Fall League "was a success, but he wouldn't say whether it would come to the majors" (
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/24). In Columbus, Rob Oller wonders if the move to speed up the pace of games is "another example of doing the right thing the wrong way, of failing to fix the core problem" (
COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/24).
MAN OF THE HOUR: In N.Y., Bill Madden conducted a Q&A with Manfred, who addressed a number of issues facing MLB. Manfred said he feels "positive" about the Rays' ballpark situation because he sees "stadium issues as fundamentally club, local issue and [Rays Owner Stu Sternberg] has reiterated his desire and belief he can reach an acceptable solution in Tampa." Manfred also said, "I think the A's need a new facility and it remains a priority of mine to get both clubs into facilities. I think because of geographic and political differences, the situation with the A's is more challenging." Manfred added of teams starting games earlier in the evening, "The demographics composition of our audience has been the subject of a lot of speculation, but it's not at all clear that a 6:30 starting time results in a lot more people watching the games. Our goal is to get as many of our fans as possible watching the games." He said of engaging young fans with technology, "At a meeting with our broadcast partners this past week we demonstrated a new product [MLBAM] has produced which is tentatively called STATCAST that uses technology that does not distract from the broadcast but instead allows the fans to better understand what's going on." Manfred said STATCAST is "designed to get people to engage more fully in the game and understand the nuances" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/22).
CREDIT CHECK: In Ft. Worth, Gil Lebreton writes, "Give the new guy credit. ... Along comes Manfred, tinkling the bells of sacred cows like the size of the strike zone, second basemen lining up in right field, and the number of runs on the scoreboard." Lebreton: "Purists need not panic. Manfred said he wants to make sure there is a problem before he appoints a committee to correct it" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/24). In Phoenix, Paola Boivin writes Manfred "projects a vibe of authority and approachability, a solid one-two punch for a new leader in a high-profile job." He "sounded eager and forthright, but maybe that's because the last commissioner to stop in the Valley, the NFL's Roger Goodell during the Super Bowl, came across as robotic and broken." This is a "tricky challenge for baseball, keeping the game experience up to pace with the expectations of a young generation while maintaining a relationship with a loyal and older fan base" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/24).
