I already don't like the new guy.

[Moonlight J]

One the Astros did vs Franklin Gutierrez in 2012

[Papa Deuce]

From the Boston Globe:

General managers actually took a vote on defensive shifting at their November meetings in Phoenix, and only approximately 4-6 wanted to eliminate it.

[Kevin Seitzer]

From that same article:

Agent Scott Boras is against defensive shifting, and is in agreement with commissioner Rob Manfred in having discussions about eliminating it. Boras cites a number of reasons, among them lefthanded pull hitters not being rewarded for hitting the ball hard and where it’s pitched (a mantra taught by coaches as players come up through the ranks); the effect it may have on amateur players down the road; and the possible increase in strikeouts.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/02/07/brian-cashman-believes-yankees/t92xuJifaD43DApWZoa7lL/story.html

[joncarlos]

Can we just stipulate that pretty much anything Scott Boras wants, I want the opposite? At least in terms of baseball?

[Vecmizer]

Can we just stipulate that pretty much anything Scott Boras wants, I want the opposite? At least in terms of baseball?

I think we can stipulate that anything Scott Boras wants is bad for baseball!

[Hornsby]

From that same article:



http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...7lL/story.html

And frankly, Boras has a point on how it may influence younger players. At least in the US, amateur ball wants to win games, if that involves shifting to get that win, so be it. And I can see how certain coaches might steer their players to bunt, or hit the other way in order to be a better "team".

Certainly something to think about...

[mgwiz22]

Boras is for Boras. If they eliminated defensive shifts his clients would have better offensive numbers which would lead to them making more money. If Boras's clients make more money then Boras earns more money, hence his position.

[Lucky]

Hit the ball where it is pitched? Sage advice from Boras, since that is likely the only place you will make contact. You can swing other places if you like, and channel your inner Rob Deer.

But what I was always told was that batters should "hit 'em where they ain't."

[chancellor]

Hit the ball where it is pitched? Sage advice from Boras, since that is likely the only place you will make contact.

I love it when Lucky gets snarky.

[Judge Jude]

Boras is for Boras. If they eliminated defensive shifts his clients would have better offensive numbers which would lead to them making more money. If Boras's clients make more money then Boras earns more money, hence his position.

what about his pitchers? won't they make more money because of shifts, then?

[mgwiz22]

what about his pitchers? won't they make more money because of shifts, then?

You certainly have a good point. The only rationalization that I can think of is that it is the defensive shifts and not the pitchers who are being given credit for the offensive decline hence their salaries are not being raised commensurately.