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WASHINGTON - If Nats GM Jim Bowden was MLB's commissioner for a day, here
are the five changes he'd make:



1. Eliminate the designated hitter

American League games really miss the late-inning double switches, difficult
pitching and pinch-hitting managerial decisions. The DH allows
one-dimensional, flawed players to become everyday stars. The games are
longer in the AL and not as fun for fans.

Then, to make matters worse, when inter-league play begins one of the teams
holds a major advantage over the other — if the teams were built properly.

How do the Nats compete with David Ortiz at DH for Boston when we can't
allocate the dollars for a position that doesn't exist in our league? Or why
is it fair for the Yankees to have to sit Jason Giambi or make him play first
base when they aren't allowed to use the DH at RFK? Because we have
interleague play and a World Series, we should have the same rules for all 30
clubs. My vote is to eradicate the DH.


2. Implement instant replay on an extremely limited basis

Each manager would get one challenge per game and it cannot be on balls and
strikes. This way, it will only be used when it affects the game's outcome
and makes sure that human error doesn't cost a team a victory.


3. Realignment

The time has come for the eradication of the American and National leagues.
We need to have one league, aligned geographically to maximize rivalries and
attendance. Six divisions of five teams each and balanced schedules so that
wild-card races will be fair, with each team playing the same amount of games
against every club. This will also allow every fan in every city the
opportunity to see every star and player of each team every year.


4. Teams could trade draft picks with no limitations

I would implement a slotting system that would allow players to know exactly
what they will be paid based on where they are drafted. In addition, if the
player puts his name into the draft pool, he must sign the contract at the
proper slotted amount.

If he does not put his name in the draft, then he returns to school and is
not eligible to play until he goes through the next year’s draft. This will
eliminate senseless negotiations and holdouts and get the players on the fast
track to the major leagues.


5. Implement a minimum and maximum salary cap

To assure parity in the game, this is the most important change of all. Of
course, increased revenue sharing would have to continue to make this work.


I feel strongly that all five of these changes would improve our game for
years to come. However, most of these ideas will never come to fruition due
to many complicated factors including the Major League baseball Players
Association, big market vs. small market owners, tradition, politics within
the game and the one word most people fear … change.