ORLANDO http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-brandon-finnegan-jersey , Fla. (AP) — with rule changes, though some of the more radical ideas under consideration are not likely to be adapted for this season.“We would prefer more action and more offense,” St. Louis Cardinals chairman William DeWitt Jr. said Thursday at the owners meetings. “There are always ways to improve the game and speed up the game and speed up the action.”Major League Baseball has proposed that a team not be allowed to bring in a reliever until the previous pitcher has faced three batters or an inning ends. Players want the designated hitter expanded to the National League.MLB wants pitch clocks and further restrictions on mound visits without pitching changes.Strikeouts exceeded hits for the first time last year and the big league batting average dropped to its lowest level since 1972, the year before the American League adopted the DH.“I don’t think any of us are thrilled about more strikeouts and hits,” said Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer and a Hall of Fame manager. “To me the excitement in our game is basically the potential of things happening on the basepaths.”Management and the players’ association have taken the rare step of a somewhat expansive negotiation in the middle of a collective bargaining agreement. The current five-year deal extends through the 2021 season.While pitch clocks are possible for this season, some changes are more likely to evolve slowly. Players would like the relief pitcher restriction to reach the major leagues in 2020. A DH in both leagues could be considered an economic issue by management, one more ripe for discussion in the next labor contract.The competition committee met Wednesday and the executive council Thursday, and a full owners session is scheduled for Friday. Management proposed changes Jan. 14, the union responded Feb. 1 and the next move is up to MLB.But following three years of attendance drops and with the sport in the midst of the second slow free agent market, both sides are more willing than last offseason to exchange ideas.“It’s important to have dialogue to make the game as compelling as possible for the fans,” San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer said. “I think we’ve got a great game and I think that with some improvements it will be even a better game.”Analytics have transformed baseball in a short span Reggie Sanders Jersey , leading to more infield shifts and frequent pitching changes that have combined to suffocate offense. Both sides are concerned fan interest is lost during frequent breaks for pitching changes.“I think that’s just in an effort to try not to put the game in a test tube,” Torre said. “I think we still have to discover how maybe young pitchers find out how they can get out of trouble instead of going to rescue them when they get in trouble.”One change in terminology was announced: Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem said MLB is changing the name of its disabled lists to injured lists at the suggestion of advocacy groups for the disabled, including the Link20 Network.Clubs were notified of the change in a Dec. 20 memo to clubs from Jeff Pfeifer, senior director of league economics and operations in the commissioner’s office. The change was first reported by ESPN.“In recent years, the commissioner has received several inquiries regarding the name of the ‘Disabled List,'” Pfeifer wrote. “The principal concern is that using the term ‘disabled’ for players who are injured supports the misconception that people with disabilities are injured and therefore are not able to participate or compete in sports. As a result, Major League Baseball has agreed to change the name ‘Disabled List’ to be the ‘Injured List’ at both the major and minor league levels. All standards and requirements for placement, reinstatement, etc., shall remain unchanged. This change, which is only a rebranding of the name itself, is effective immediately.”The major leagues have had disabled lists of 10 and 60 days Johnny Bench Jersey , plus a seven-day list only for players with concussions. MLB has proposed to the players’ association that the 10-day list go back to a 15-day minimum, its level before 2017. ATLANTA (AP) — All-Star outfielder Nick Markakis took a significant pay cut to remain with the Atlanta Braves, even coming off one of the best seasons of his career.Markakis and the Braves agreed Tuesday to a deal that is worth a guaranteed $6 million and includes a club option for 2020.The 35-year-old Markakis became a free agent after completing a $44 million, four-year deal that he signed with the Braves for the 2015 season when he left the Baltimore Orioles.In another sign of the dwindling demand for veteran free agents, Markakis generated only minor interest on the open market. His deal includes a $4 million salary this season, and Atlanta has a $6 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.Markakis said remaining with the Braves was his primary objective. He brushed off the big cut in salary.“I’m not mad at all,” he said. “I play a kids’ game and get paid a lot of money. How can I be disappointed in that?”The Braves won the NL East title for their first playoff appearance since 2013 and have one of baseball’s most exciting young rosters.Markakis wants to help Atlanta take the next step.“I came in during tough times,” he said. “Last year was pretty special to me, especially at this point in my career.”The agreement solidifies the lineup for the defending NL East champions, whose major acquisition of the offseason was free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson. It also gives the Braves the financial flexibility to pursue other deals, something they were insistent on in their negotiations with Markakis.“Nick coming back on these terms allows us to potentially do other things,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “This needed to come in at the right number for us.”A Georgia native http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-morgan-jersey , Markakis is coming off the first All-Star appearance of his 13-year career.He earned both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors last season, hitting .297 with 14 homers and 93 RBIs while starting all 162 games in right field.The Braves will look to cut back on Markakis’ playing time after he tailed off badly in the second half of the season. He was batting .323 with 10 homers and 61 RBIs at the All-Star break, but hit just .258 with four homers and 32 RBIs over the final 68 games.That is not a huge concern, according to Anthopoulos.“Nick was still hitting the ball extremely hard,” the GM said. “The numbers are what they are, but really what we’re talking about is the last six weeks. All the other underlying factors point to someone who was still playing well.”The bargain signing secures a Braves lineup that is counting on Donaldson to add more power. The former AL MVP signed a $23 million, one-year deal with Atlanta, which is confident that the 32-year-old will bounce back from two injury plagued seasons.With the reporting day for spring training less than a month away, Atlanta might still be in the market for another starting pitcher. Anthopoulos is looking for additional depth in the bullpen and on the bench.But the GM acknowledged that the roster is largely set, and any further moves might not come until after the start of spring training. The team already has been discussing potential lineups now that Markakis is back on board.Manager Brian Snitker is leaning toward moving Ender Inciarte back to the leadoff spot, where NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. thrived last season, which would allow the rookie star to drop down into the cleanup spot. Donaldson would hit second Dave Concepcion Jersey , followed by Freeman, Acuna and Markakis, setting up an order that goes back and forth between left- and right-handed hitters. Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and whoever is catching — either Tyler Flowers or Brian McCann — would fill out the bottom of the lineup.The Braves are planning to turn Johan Camargo into a super sub who will get extensive time at second base, shortstop and third base, with perhaps an occasional start in left field. The Braves will likely shift Acuna from left to right field for some games, allowing Markakis to take time off with an eye toward being stronger late in the season.“Looking back on it, could I have used a day off? Absolutely,” Markakis said. “I’m not getting any younger. A day off every now and then is not going to hurt.”