Rob Manfred hates baseball part 11:
Removing the DH once the starting pitcher is pulled?
Moving the pitching rubber back one foot?
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/mlb-move-mound-back-double-hook-dh-atlantic-league.html
The “double-hook” designated hitter rule will be in place for the entirety of the 2021 Atlantic League season. Under the new rule, a team will lose its designated hitter once the starting pitcher is pulled from the game. From that point forth, the team will need to either deploy a pinch-hitter or allow a relief pitcher to bat in what was the designated hitter’s place.
Within its release, MLB indicates that their analysis concluded a one-foot increase “would be the minimum interval needed to evaluate a change in mound distance,” adding that the change is “expected to be meaningful without being disruptive.” The goal, as readers have surely deduced, is to curb the league’s rising strikeout rate and increase the number of balls in play.
Well, of course. They'll use game 162 so that Kiké, Vazquez, Marwin and Danny Santana all get a chance to play each position on the field including pitcher and catcher.
I still think they are a 86 win team. I'm really not sold on the current starting rotation. Eovaldi is sure to come down with an IL stint and have diminished stuff. Richards is an unknown. Long term health of ERod? Is Sale going to be productive when he comes back? Is Houck a starter or reliever? Will Pivetta revert to a AAAA guy? What could Seabold provide?
The pen should be average to slightly above average. The offense will be near the top 5. It's the starting pitching that is really difficult to project.