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Debate: Is Rob Manfred making baseball better?

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discussed potential adjustments that he believes could improve baseball in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin.

Manfred used the evolution of the NBA and NFL as proof that baseball could become more compelling. He referenced quarterback Bob Griese, who threw only 18 passes over two Super Bowl victories in the 1970s - a feat that would be essentially impossible in today's pass-heavy NFL.

The commissioner readily acknowledged that shaving five minutes off the average length of a baseball game won't suddenly give the sport a jolt of popularity. But is he is on the right track at all? We debate three issues related to Manfred's initiatives.

Should Manfred be so fixated on pace of play?

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Jason Wilson: I'm more indifferent to the intentional walk rule than most - it neither riles me up nor impresses me. Though intentional walks were always terrible to sit through, the time being saved is negligible at best. This applies to almost every proposed change to speed up the game, from limiting the number of relievers in a single inning to installing a pitcher's clock: These alterations don't really fix anything but offer the illusion that they do.

There are far too many variables at play in a single game of baseball to reliably speed things up. If a pitcher is ineffective, and a ton of runs are scored, it's going to extend the game. If both pitchers are playing poorly, then doubly so. Conversely, two pitchers in the midst of elite performances will make for a speedy conclusion.

Manfred's theoretical fixes to pace of play suggest to me that he's worried baseball fans don't actually like baseball. Maybe they'll finally change their minds if the league pumps in music between every pitch and installs baserunners in extra innings.

Lucas Casaletto: Whether you're a traditionalist or not a baseball fan at all, I believe a commissioner's goal should be to attract as many people to the league's sport as possible.

I've heard several people, whether at a ballgame or via social media, complain that baseball's pace needs drastic improvement. How about limiting the amount of time a batter can take when he steps out of the batter's box? Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Hererra, who has the slowest pace among MLB hitters (32.1 seconds per pitch), is one notable offender.

Manfred's focus on pace of play, and his openness in discussing his opinions, convinces me he has good intentions. The sport is headed in the right direction with a vast number of young superstars. Now, the goal should be to keep fans interested in the game.

I see no issue with Manfred's infatuation with speeding things up.

Does the game need to be fixed?

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Casaletto: Manfred should look at ways to shorten the length of games. If the World Baseball Classic didn't prove baseball has a problem, how about sitting through a four-hour-and-32-minute game? That's how long it took to play Game 5 of last year's NLDS matchup between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers - and it didn't go into extra innings.

If you want to keep fans entertained, a game that takes that much time to complete isn't helping. Some people might hate the wave, but maybe fans wouldn't be inclined to throw their arms in the air every minute or so if they weren't so bored. Just saying.

Wilson: In a word, no. Baseball is not going to be for everyone, and trying to dilute the game to appeal to the lowest common denominator actively ignores the die-hards who live and breathe the game. Granted, they (me) will likely stick around either way, but it's disconcerting.

Besides, the game makes mad bank the way it is. Major League Baseball is growing every year. The league hauled in $10 billion in revenue in 2016, marking its 14th straight year of record profits, according to Maury Brown at Forbes. Keep the changes small. Sure, shorten the time batters spend out of the box, but stay away from broad changes lest it turn into Blernsball.

What should Manfred focus on?

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Wilson: The situations in Tampa Bay and Oakland are dire. Both teams need new stadiums and boosts to attendance. No amount of minor rule changes will help. These franchises have been at, or near, the bottom of the league in attendance for several seasons running due to horrible stadiums. Who wants to see that?

They need to either relocate or construct new ballparks, and that shouldn't be achieved at an overwhelming cost to local taxpayers. It's a delicate balance, and there is no easy solution. That's why Manfred and his associates need to dive deeper into this area instead of laboring over less relevant minutiae within the nine innings of play.

Casaletto: One potential change others have suggested is including international players in the MLB draft. Instead of only featuring North American-born prospects, include a wider demographic. What if the NHL and NBA could only draft American- and Canadian- born players? That wouldn't be fun.

This year's group of international players includes Japanese dual-threat phenom Shohei Otani, as well as top Cuban prospect Luis Robert. Instead of bidding on these players, simply allow them to be selected - and while you're at it, shorten the draft. No one wants to see teams pick for 40 rounds.

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