Ricky Cobb and former Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy discussed on the “Ricky Cobb Show” how the MLB should approach its fight for a stronger offense.
Cobb mentioned that in a recent game against the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to walk batter Aaron Judge in the second inning with two outs and no one on base. While that may seem like a smart strategy given Judge’s good hitting power, it reduces the amount of offense you can get in a game.
Murphy noted that he believes MLB may need to implement another rule change if it wants to increase the number of runs scored per game.
“I think that’s not in the spirit of the game, especially a walk in the second inning when nobody’s on base. And I think the main thing baseball looks at, let’s be honest, is offense. There’s no sport in the world where you don’t try to increase offense … It’s perceived as a more exciting game,” Murphy said.
Elite hitters like Aaron Judge are forced into intentional walks quite frequently. Murphy said he wants MLB to consider all options for how to deal with the rise in intentional walks by the game’s best hitters. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Murphy is right when he says that MLB is trying to improve the offense. Whether it’s bigger bases, putting runners in scoring position in extra innings, or a variety of other changes, the game is creating more opportunities to put more runs across the plate.
The next debate seems to be about how to deal with intentional walks. While I don’t know how MLB would address this issue, the league has done a good job of improving the game significantly.
Murphy wants MLB to do this again if it wants to adjust the way it enforces potential changes to intentional walks.
“My point is I want baseball to throw everything on the table, and if that affects the offense or affects what we’re trying to sell in Major League Baseball, then that’s not in the spirit of increasing the offense,” Murphy said. “All the rule changes have tried to increase the offense. I would look at that and look at all the ways to limit the use (of intentional walks). But I think what baseball needs to do is take a hard look at everything, and I think they’re doing that.”
