Yankees: Will they eventually replace starting pitching altogether?

Rob Manfred’s Holy Grail includes anything that will shorten the length of games. And the first thing he’s likely to say is that games will be interrupted more often with pitching changes almost every inning.

Not the case, Rob. In fact, the time of games will likely be reduced because the Committee comprising that day’s pitchers will know pretty much in advance when they will be entering the game and, much like the hitter who bats seventh is ready when it’s his turn, will be sitting in the dugout already warmed up and ready to go when the Yankees finish their half-inning batting.

The other thing that’s bound to annoy Manfred is that it’s not his idea. And there’s some rogue team out there, in this case, the Yankees, trying to change baseball without his “permission.”

Wake up, Rob! Number one, Joe Girardi doesn’t work for you and, secondly, you can talk about putting safety nets around the playing field because that’s for the fans. But you cannot control how the game is played on the field.

This has nothing to do with player’s safety either, for instance, the rule in place requiring players to wear a helmet when they are batting.

This is about strategy, and until you wear a uniform and are announced as the starting third baseman, Joe Girardi has a handle on things.