How will NL teams use universal DH Gradi

We still don't know when the 2020 MLB season will begin, but it's clear it will be unlike any season we've ever seen. , be it realignment or a new postseason format or something else entirely.. and the MLBPA will work to play as many games as po sible and that will mean compromise, and doing things either side wouldn't otherwise consider.Among the changes we are likely to see this season is a universal designated hitter. If MLB is forced to realign or alter the schedule drastically, the league will have no choice but to implement a universal DH because interleague play will be so common. Also, there's a self-preservation aspect. Pitchers may be at increased risk of injury following the shutdown and there's no reason to put them at even more risk by forcing them to hit. Keeping pitchers healthy is an obvious benefit of the universal DH.These days American League teams seem to prefer the flexibility of a rotating DH rather than one set DH. was the only player to start at least 120 games at DH last year ( would've done it too if not for a nagging wrist i sue). Go back just five years and six players had at least 120 starts at DH (Billy Shy Tuttle Jersey Butler, Prince Fielder, , , David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez), and all six started at least 130 games. The DH spot is used differently now than it has been historically.National League teams did not come into 2020 expecting to have the DH available, so they will have to adjust on the fly should the universal DH be implemented. Teams are expected to have expanded rosters when baseball returns -- again, MLB wants to protect pitchers -- so there will be enough bodies on the roster to fill the DH spot. I suppose teams could sign a free agent to be their DH, though the market has been mostly picked clean at this point. . How will each NL team use the DH when baseball returns in 2020? That's what we're here to figure New Orleans Saints T Shirts out. In some cases it's very obvious. In others, not so much, and not only because a team may lack quality DH candidates. Some clubs are so deep they have multiple DH candidates. Here's how each NL team could use the DH spot in 2020, with a letter draft a signed for their situation. . It was a bit of a surprise the retained over the winter rather than non-tender him. at third and at first means Lamb is not in the projected starting lineup, making him the obvious DH option. He's been hurt (mi sed 190 of 324 po sible games) and ineffective (75 OPS+) since his 2017 All-Star season, but he does own a career .259/.345/.468 batting line against righties. At worst, he's a solid platoon option. As for a platoon partner, , C.J.'s younger brother, is an obvious candidate. Cron put up video game numbers with the juiced ball in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last season: .331/.449/.777 with 38 home runs in only 82 games. Thirty-eight homers in 82 games! His .777 slugging percentage was the highest in the minors in at least 40 years. Cron slugged another six homers in 78 big-league plate appearances. Lamb and Cron could be a sneaky excellent platoon DH tandem. That B could become an A real quick. GRADE: B The currently have five outfielders for three outfield spots. and are going to play every game and is the team's best defensive center fielder, at least until top prospect arrives. and are currently slotted in as bench players and platooning them at DH is easy enough. Markakis is still very effective against righties (.298/.371/.446 in 2019) and Duvall has always punished southpaws (27 homers in 525 career plate appearances vs. LHP). Atlanta could effectively rotate their outfielders through the three outfield spots plus the DH spot. That way Acuna and Ozuna could get off their feet for a day without taking their bat out of the lineup. GRADE: B It's easy to a sume the would just stick at DH and that would be that. Chicago is a bit thin in the outfield, however. and Jr. are expected to platoon in right with likely to Ethan Greenidge Jersey hold down the center field spot. Jr. has more or le s played his way out of the lineup, so Schwarber at DH means either Almora plays regularly, or Heyward and Souza both play every day rather than platoon. I suppose the Cubs could put in left field, a position he's played quite a bit, with at third base. That would make Bote the extra bat in the lineup. Another DH option: . The backup catcher hit .266/.348/.446 with 11 home runs in limited action last year -- he hit so well at times last year that he started 11 games at first base -- and could be worth an extended look. Chances are every team will carry three catchers with expanded rosters (Chicago had in camp as a non-roster invitee), so using Caratini at DH is plausible. The gue s here is the Cubs will use a rotating DH rather than pick one guy (or two guys to platoon) in that spot. GRADE: C Similar to the Braves, the have five outfielders for three spots. will play every game, leaving and to platoon with and lefty masher (career .313/.371/.536 vs. LHP). Don't forget . before crashing back to Earth in September. The power is real and I would expect him to be on an expanded roster whenever the season begins, so Cincinnati really has six outfielders for three spots. Castellanos is the only outfielder guaranteed to be an everyday player. The other five figure to platoon or simply stay in the lineup when they're on a hot streak. The Reds are in position to use their spare outfielders as a DH by committee. GRADE: B Michael Thomas Hoodies Sweatshirts For the , the easiest move would be putting at DH. He has little to no defensive value these days, even at Jalen Dalton Jersey first base, and it would maybe help keep him healthy too. Colorado could then slide from second base over to first, and install top prospect at second. Rodgers had season-ending shoulder surgery last July and completed his rehab in time to appear in three spring training games before the shutdown. If the Rockies want to be cautious with Rodgers in his first year back from shoulder surgery (understandable), would be the alternative at second base. Another option would be keeping McMahon at second and playing at first base. Colorado could also use Murphy at first and put at DH in an effort to keep him healthy. That would free up outfield playing time for Desmond and . I like the Murphy at DH, McMahon at first, Rodgers at second plan the most. Give the supremely talented young player a look. GRADE: C The , moreso than any other National League team, are equipped to use a rotating DH. They have more good players than lineup spots. and headline an outfield group that includes , , , A.J. Pollock, and . Beaty (first base), Hernandez (all over), and Taylor (all over) also figure into the infield mix, particularly on the right side along with and top prospect . Los Angeles is flush with options. Given their significant splits, keeping Pederson and Pollock in a strict left field platoon makes the most sense. Muncy has cr