Just like the AL has changed the rules regarding the pitcher hitting, and Major League baseball copied the NFL by instituting 3 divisions and the wild card, a rumor has started that the NL will follow the NFL with free substitution. This means that although some players may play both ways, like Carlos Bel tran', others might be substituted for as the situation dictates, yet may re=enter the game at any point.
Just think of what this would mean for the Mets. David Wright, for example has truly shown that he is a gold glove 3rd baseman, who is a decent hitter normally. However, Wright has been ineffective when runner are in scoring position. Thus Wright would play full time, except he would be pinch-hit for with runners in scoring position, but would still be in the game defensively, and be able to hit at his next turn. Pedro Feliciano could come in to pitch to a lefty, be replaced by Green, and then return a batter later,
The AL has made a farce of baseball strategy with the DH, so the NL is going to eliminate the DH by using free substitution, so the rumor goes.
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