MLB hasn't shied away from considering rule changes in recent seasons. The league unilaterally implemented a pitch clock, a three-batter minimum for pitchers (barring injuries), shift restrictions and incentives for base-stealing with pickoff limits and larger bases. MLB and the Players Association also agreed to add a universal hitter to the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
That hasn't stopped Commissioner Rob Manfred from considering other changes. Perhaps the most extreme suggestion the Commissioner has made publicly would be the possibility of introducing a “golden at bat” rule. Jayson Stark of The Athletic published a lengthy article on Monday detailing possible variations on this concept.
At its core, the golden at-bat idea is to give a team an opportunity to utilize a hitter who is in the lineup but not due for the upcoming at-bat. It would be a bit like hitting a player who is already in the game. As Stark notes, the rule could be restricted to limit when teams could use the golden strike (e.g. after a specific inning, only when trailing, etc.).
In October, Manfred suggested that there could be support within the league for exploring this concept. Appearing on The Varsity podcast with John Ourand of Puck (X Link), Manfred said at the time “There was a little excitement“The concept was recently presented at an owners’ meeting. The commissioner said this idea was “is currently only in the conversation phase.”
It is important to emphasize that there is nothing to indicate that MLB has any plans to test this idea. There's a significant gap between showing up in casual conversation and showing up in Spring Training, the minors or the All-Star Game – let alone in major MLB competition.
The purpose is to increase the number of high-impact plate appearances by top hitters. That would create more drama in close games, but would be a radical change for the sport. Due to the fixed nature of the batting order, major offenses often remain in the hands of lesser-known players. One could argue that this is a mistake compared to other sports where teams can decide to turn the ball over to their stars when games are on the line. At the same time, many of baseball's most magical moments occur when players at the bottom of the rankings rise to the challenge with game-winning hits.
Implementing a golden at-bat wouldn't completely eliminate these possibilities, but it would reduce them. It is also an inherently artificial measure that would represent a sea change from the way baseball has been played throughout its history. This probably applies to some other recent rules adjustments, but the golden strike would likely have a much larger impact than any of the other changes.
Stark's column goes into much more detail about the strategic implications that would be at play, as well as concerns about tradition and the inflated record totals that would come with allowing teams to give their best hitter an extra at-bat in each game. Stark talks to players, front office staff and longtime captain Joe Maddon (many of whom express their opposition to the concept) about the idea in an article that's worth reading in full.
