Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that adding the designated hitter rule to the National League was being considered by Major League Baseball. The Cubs, with their glut of young outfielders, would stand to benefit from the ability to play one of them at DH.
General manager Jed Hoyer declined to respond to comments Manfred made to reporters Thursday at the conclusion of the owners' quarterly meetings in New York.
The rule change would have to be formally presented by the owners and approved by the MLB Players Association. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, who began his career in the Athletics organization, sees the benefits of adding a DH.
"I came up in an organization in the American League, so the DH was natural," Russell said. "Switching over was definitely a huge adjustment, but I'd like to see the pitcher just pitch and have another bat in the lineup."
The benefits would be immense for the Cubs, as they would be able to find regular at-bats for youngsters such as Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. while giving Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant a mini-break by letting them handle the DH duties on occasion.
Cubs President Theo Epstein and Hoyer saw the benefits with David Ortiz, one of the most productive designated hitters of all time during their tenure with the Red Sox.
The AL has used the DH since 1973, but the National League has declined to adopt it.
