Pondering Lineups: Are Enlarged September Rosters Effective? Do They Offer Sufficient Boost or Overreach for Playoff Contenders?
In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), the debate over expanding September rosters has become a hot topic among experts and fans alike. The current setup allows for 28 players, but many believe this number could be increased to offer more team flexibility and aid in player development.
Mike Axisa, a well-known sports writer, has been vocal about the issue, expressing his concern that fans do not get to see interesting minor leaguers in the last few weeks of the season due to the current roster sizes. He also wrote an article defending full September call-ups a decade ago.
R.J. Anderson, another MLB expert, suggests a roster of 30 players with a pitcher limit for September. This, he believes, would enable teams to reward minor-league lifers like Guilder Rodríguez. However, he agrees with Dayn Perry that the old roster-expansion rules, which allowed a team to carry the entire 40-player roster in September, were too unwieldy. Instead, Anderson prefers a compromise of five additional players (with a possible maximum of three pitchers).
Dayn Perry, in his argument, expresses a desire for more roster flexibility to allow for players like Rodríguez to appear in The Show. He also points out that fewer than 32 roster spots does not help teams much, as relievers are still shuttled in and out on a daily basis.
Matt Snyder, another sports writer, prefers more roster spots to become available, suggesting up to 32. He believes this would benefit non-contending teams by giving extra players major league experience, and contenders by rewarding organizational depth. Snyder also suggests that extra roster spots could help eliminate the embarrassment of position player-pitching.
However, there is no clear consensus on the exact number of additional players that should be allowed. MLB experts generally agree that expanding September rosters is beneficial for team flexibility, but opinions vary on whether allowing larger expansions dilutes competition or helps player development.
Despite the ongoing debate, Mike Axisa laments that full expanded rosters are never coming back. He questions why the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) agreed to reduce roster size from 40 to 28. He proposes a compromise roster size of 32, with a 26-man "active" roster for each series.
In conclusion, the debate over expanding September rosters in MLB continues to rage on, with experts and fans alike offering their opinions on the ideal number of additional players. While there is no clear consensus, the benefits of increased team flexibility and player development are undeniable. Whether the MLBPA and MLB will eventually agree to expand the September rosters remains to be seen.
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