What Are Draft Lottery and Universal DH That Rob Manfred Announced for MLB 2022 Season?

The complications between the MLB owners and the players’ association are likely to come to an end. After a heated last week, both sides are now positive about the new agreement. Earlier on Thursday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the media and announced some major changes in the MLB from the next season.

Last week, the owners refused to offer a counterproposal and instead requested the players’ association to bring a Federal Mediator on board. However, the MLB Players’ Association declined the request to bring any third party for the negotiations. And said they are still ready for the negotiations. 

After these activities from the two parties, for a while, it looked like things will get more complicated in MLB. But the recent media address by the league commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted that the owners and players are ready to negotiate for the agreement. However, during his press conference, he also announced some major changes in MLB from this season onwards. And it is most likely to be in the favor of players. What exactly are they? 

Read more: MLB Owners to Offer a New Proposal to the Players’ Association in Their Next Meeting

What are draft lottery and universal Designated Hitter to be introduced in the MLB?

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, while addressing media on Thursday, surprised baseball fans with some major changes in MLB. Manfred announced that from next season onwards, there will be a draft lottery and a universal designated hitter (DH) in the National League.

“For the first time in history and despite substantial opposition by some clubs,” said Rob Manfred. “We have agreed to institute a draft lottery to address the players’ concerns about clubs not competing. We have agreed to a universal designated hitter and the elimination of draft choice compensation.”

Draft lottery in MLB means that the first overall pick will go to the team that wins the lottery, instead of being automatically awarded to the last-placed team. Which will be beneficial from the players’ perspective. And from this season onwards, now National League teams will be allowed to play a designated hitter in their team. Just like it is in the American League. 

The designated hitter is supposed to eliminate the need for pitchers to hit, which benefits their own health.

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The Players’ Association and the owners are to meet on Saturday. And this time it is possible they will get the agreement done for the good of league.