Dodgers' Dave Roberts in favor of defensive shift ban
Among the MLB rule changes announced last week that will be implemented next year include a ban on defensive shifts, a tactic widely used throughout the league that has become quite polarizing among fans and also personnel.
Ahead of the weekend, New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor told reporters he's just fine with banning shifts because doing so will "hopefully create a little bit more offense" and allow him to "be athletic and move a little bit more and try to make more defensive plays." Meanwhile, Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona, one of the league's most respected leaders, later remarked that batters should "hit the ball the other way" and added that "there are solutions other than just lift and separate."
According to The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seemed to agree with Lindor about the ban on shifts.
"I think the shift … is good in the sense that offense has been suppressed so much," Roberts said. "If you can knock a ball through a hole to create offense, that’s a good thing. And I also think it will bring in some athletic plays from infielders that now there’s not as much ground to cover."
Roberts was asked if rule changes like banning shifts, installing a pitch clock, and larger bases will impact how teams such as the Dodgers construct their rosters starting this offseason.
"I don’t want to give kind of inside dope, but I do. I think the smart ones will," he said.
The 96-43 Dodgers began the week holding the best overall record in all of MLB. They open a road series at the 66-73 Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
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