Each year at MLB’s winter meetings, the spotlight is on the players, the agents and the general managers. Trade buzz and free agent signings — we’re talking about you, Juan Soto, and all you starting pitchers — dominate the headlines.
But the event is also an opportunity for the managers of all 30 teams to gather under one roof. Last week, as baseball’s skippers descended upon Dallas, we asked a handful of them questions about MLB’s rule changes, the playoff format, their most feared opposing hitter and more.
Here is what they had to say.
If it were your call, what would MLB’s next major rule change be?
Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals: It definitely won’t be the golden [at-]bat. I like where the game is at right now, I really do. First with all the new rule changes, it took a minute, but definitely baseball is heading in the right direction.
Ron Washington, Los Angeles Angels: Give the pitchers all the time they need to make pitches. And I’d also like to get rid of that three-times-throwing-over-to-first-base junk. … Experienced pitchers can handle [the pitch clock] after they see what’s got to be done. But I think it just affects the young pitchers.
Derek Shelton, Pittsburgh Pirates: I think I would go to some sort of challenge — something that we’ve talked about with the strike zone, like we’ve tried in the minor leagues.
A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers: I think we’ve nailed the rules as an industry. … Naturally, we’re going to resist any sort of change or any sort of newness to the history of the game and things like that, but I haven’t heard or seen hardly any complaints.
Bruce Bochy, Texas Rangers: Just like us, me as a manager, or players, we’re always looking to get better. So you always are looking for ways you can make the game better. Tinkering a little bit is fine, but you have to draw a line somewhere.
How do you feel about MLB’s current expanded playoff format after seeing it for multiple seasons?
Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles: I like the multiple games for the wild card. I think that’s better. I think the format is an improvement.
Washington: The teams that run away with the division and win their division big time — we gotta find a way to keep them active. Because if the other playoffs go the distance, they’re sitting long. It affected us pretty good [in Atlanta]. This year, I think it affected Cleveland.
Shelton: I like it. I think it provides a lot of excitement. I think anything we can do to have more teams having meaningful games in September is important for the game.
Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins: I think it’s working well. I’m in favor of it, and I think it’s been good for the game. I think having a somewhat expanded format makes it competitive for basically the vast majority of the league, who are playing meaningful games as the season goes on.
Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals: I don’t give a lot of thought to the big, grand scheme of how it’s laid out. I like to be in it. I’ve been on the other side of that too when I was with Tampa and we lost the two games in Cleveland in that wild card. It’s tough. In baseball, it’s win or go home right out of the gate unless you win the division. So that puts a premium on winning the division. I think that’s great. But I like the fact that it’s expanded.
Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds: The one thing I wish they were able to change is … you’re seeing too much bullpen games in the playoffs. That’s not the way teams are really built. Now, I would like to see after 162 games, I would like to see teams have to use their entire roster. I think you would find the true best teams that way. Not just maybe teams that are top-heavy with a couple of good pitchers and with days off you can throw your bullpen. I mean, I get it. They’re competing. I’m not saying they’re wrong to do it. Just don’t think that’s the way our game is built.
Which opposing hitter do you least want to face with the game on the line?
Hyde: There’s so many. [Shohei] Ohtani, Soto, [Aaron] Judge, [Mookie] Betts, Yordan Alvarez. Wrap them all up. I don’t want to face any of them.
Washington: Mookie Betts — because he bust my ass many times.
Shelton: I would probably still say Soto — just because of the quality of the at-bat, and you have to throw strikes. He can do damage in a bunch of different places, but he makes you throw the ball over the plate.
Baldelli: This isn’t rocket science — it’s Judge. I just would not want to face Judge. He’s just that good.
Which pitcher — not on your squad — would you most want to hand the ball to with your season on the line?
Hyde: I’ll give you a few. [Tarik] Skubal for sure. Can I go with a reliever? [Emmanuel] Clase. And [Zack] Wheeler.
Washington: Max Scherzer. Gritty. Never gives in.
Shelton: Probably Corbin Burnes. Maybe a little biased, just because I’ve seen him so much in the Central over the last couple years, but just the ability to execute pitches.
Baldelli: It’s probably Skubal. I have a really tough time saying anybody but Skubal.
Who — besides you — is the best manager in baseball?
Washington: Bruce Bochy — because he can manage a bullpen. Oh, and Terry Francona. Those two guys can manage a bullpen.
Shelton: With Tito [Francona] back, it’s hard not to say Tito, but Kevin Cash.
Baldelli: Because I also know him, played for him, I think Tito’s the one that I would have to say — because of the way that he gets the most out of all of his people. He makes people feel like they can do anything, and then they go out there and they actually do it, over and over again.