MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said talks with the MLBPA on pace-of-play changes for next season are moving toward a more detailed stage and that an agreement is possible by the end of the year. Manfred and MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark did not detail the specifics of the ongoing talks, but measures such as a pitch clock and a limit on mound visits have been discussed. “I remain optimistic that we’re going to be able to reach an agreement that will have a material impact on the sport,” said Manfred, largely echoing comments made at several points since August. “We have had a very productive dialogue with the players, and we’re now getting to a point where we’re beginning to get into more details.” Clark characterized the pace-of-play talks as still “relatively early in the process.” However, he also pointed to an openness of the negotiations with the league. “The players are involved and engaged on this issue, and anytime you have an open dialogue like this, there’s a sense of optimism you’re ultimately going to be able to reach common ground,” Clark said. Several factors have contributed to the ongoing rise in average game times, including a heightened strategic emphasis by teams on home runs and strikeouts. “The league wants home runs. The league wants strikeouts. They just want them to happen more quickly,” Clark said.
NOT FOCUSED ON LONGER PLAYOFF GAMES: Manfred said the league was not heavily focused on the postseason average game time this year of 3:31, given the heightened competitive pressure the playoff games present. He did acknowledge the continued increases in regular-season game times, reaching a record 3:05 this year, were presenting potential threats to the sport’s business. “It’s particularly a local broadcast issue for us,” he said. The 2:28 game time for Tuesday's Astros-Dodgers Game 1, the shortest World Series game since '92, was so short that MLB and Fox execs said it likely cut into ratings somewhat. But Manfred said he was still pleased with the brisk pace of play in the Series opener. “I’ll take a nice, zippy, well-played game like that anytime,” he said.
