LOS ANGELES — There seems to be a cottage industry brewing in the baseball world. Since the Dodgers have captured their second straight World Series, the rest of the league has taken to whining about this or that “unfairness” that gives the Dodgers a structural advantage over other teams. Their latest target: the “Ohtani Rule.” And their latest spokesman is Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

What Counsell Said

The statement from the longtime Brewers and now Cubs’ manager Counsell was made earlier this week. In discussing the MLB limit on 13 pitchers on the roster, Counsell said, “It’s a rule to help offense, I think, more than anything, if you ask me.”

Okay. Fair enough. But then came the part of the quote that got everybody’s feathers ruffled. “And then there’s one team that’s allowed to carry basically one of both,” he said, “and that he gets special consideration. Which is probably the most bizarre rule. … For one team.”

Hmmm. What team are you referring to there, Craig? Could it be the back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers? Is THAT whom you’re talking about?

First off, Counsell, if you’re going to whine about somebody, have the courtesy to at least name them in your rant. More on that later.

Of course, you just can’t lob a grenade over the palace walls and not have folks respond to it. And Dave Roberts did just that on Monday. Basically, Roberts said, “Get your own Ohtani.”

Here’s the exact quote. First, he acknowledge the truth of the situation. “The thing is it certainly benefits us because we have the player…” No kidding.

But then, he pushed back on the complaint a bit. “We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.”

In other words, instead of whining about it, how about developing a two-way player of your own? Indeed, there are many players who are two-way players in college (Paul Skenes was a great hitter, for example. Jac Caglianone was a great pitcher at Florida St.). Maybe give these guys a shot at being the next Ohtani? Or if not them, maybe the next player that comes down the pike. How about you try that?

The Ohtani Rule

The “Ohtani Rule” is the MLB change that lets a starting pitcher who is also listed as the designated hitter stay in the batting order after he leaves the mound, which is why Shohei Ohtani can pitch early in a game and still keep hitting later on. MLB explained that under amended Rule 5.11, the starter is treated as “two separate people for purposes of Rule 5.11(a),” so “if the starting pitcher is replaced, he can continue as the Designated Hitter, and if the Designated Hitter is replaced, he can continue as the pitcher (but can no longer hit for himself).” In plain English, it was created to preserve the DH spot for a true two-way starter instead of forcing the team to lose the DH as soon as that player comes out of the game.

However, that’s not the bitch that Counsell is making here. His gripe has to do with the roster limit on pitchers. The roster-limit language is essentially that a qualified two-way player is exempt from the pitcher cap. MLB’s official glossary says teams are generally limited to 13 pitchers on the active roster, but “two-way players are able to pitch in any situation but don’t count toward the active roster’s pitcher total.” It also explains that clubs must otherwise designate players as either pitchers or position players, and position players who are not designated as two-way players face restrictions on when they can pitch. (MLB.com)

In other words, if a player like Ohtani is designated a “two-way” player, the team (i.e., the Dodgers) get their two way player AND 13 pitchers, thus giving them an “extra” pitcher.

Why Counsell’s Complaints Are Empty

Here’s the thing. The two-way player exceptions were put in place in 2022, well before Shohei joined the Dodgers. And did we hear any complaints at the time? Not a peep. Why? Because the Angels were a joke, and Ohtani’s two-way status was seen as a “cute” little story that might get some more eyeballs on the sport.

Now, that Shohei is playing for a powerful team like the Dodgers, all of a sudden, this rule is a problem. That doesn’t sound like somebody arguing for fairness. That sounds more like envy.

Rosters Should Be Up to the Teams

Let’s be honest. The limit on the number of pitchers on a roster is arbitrary. And it’s relatively new in baseball. For decades, it was the business of the team how many pitchers and position players they carried. If a team wanted fifteen relievers, they could have it. Of course, the need for relief pitching has skyrocketed in recent years. If I throw Drysdale, Koufax, and Osteen at you on a nightly basis, the bullpen arms are going to be well-rested much of the time. These guys would pitch nearly 300 innings a season.

Now, a starter is lucky if they pitch 150-200. Which puts more pressure on the bullpen. Which means teams are looking for every advantage they can find. And what better advantage than having the best hitter in the league also happen to be the best pitcher?

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