Rangers manager Chris Woodward spent most of his media availability at the Winter Meetings answering questions cordially but dispassionately. Free-agent signings, roster holes, health updates— all the standard topics of discussion.
Then came a question about the looming addition of the 26th roster spot. When it did, the second-year manager beamed.
“One spot on your roster, I wish I would have had that a few times last year,” Woodward said. “I think it’s going to change a lot of teams. Maybe keeping that extra bat on the bench provides a little bit more versatility for a manager to go to at times, or having that extra pitcher, especially with the three-batter minimum.
“It’s going to be a little different. I want that extra guy, as every manager does.”
Major League Baseball announced a series of rules changes last spring that would take effect in 2020. Among them: An increase in active roster size from 25 to 26 players, a requirement that all pitchers face a minimum of three batters or pitch to the end of a half-inning and an increase in the minimum time a player spends on the injured list from 10 days back to 15 days.
The MLB Players Association did not agree to all of the rules changes—most notably the three-batter minimum—but commissioner Rob Manfred said at the Winter Meetings the changes will be implemented as scheduled.
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
