Rob Manfred Comments on Sliding Rules in Wake of Chase Utley Play

Chase Utley didn't just change the landscape of the National League Division Series against the New York Mets. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred told Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Tuesday that he wants to change the rules in order to protect middle infielders.

"The issue of player safety is paramount for us," he said. "We have some great young athletes and we don’t want to lose any of them, regardless of position, to injuries that can be avoided and we are going to constantly look at the game to find ways to prevent avoidable injuries."    

This issue has been thrust into the spotlight after Utley's slide during Game 2 of the NLDS broke the leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada. For those who are lagging behind the news, MLB.com has the replay:

It has been a hot debate over the ensuing days on whether the play was just a hard-nosed display of aggressive baserunning or a dirty takeout, prompting Manfred to comment on the matter. 

This lone event, though, didn't bring the issue to the commissioner's attention. Manfred told Nightengale this rule change was being discussed earlier this season and heated up further after the Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan took out the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jung Ho Kang at second, breaking his leg. 

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We started talking to the union about this. It is another example of the issue of player safety, which is really high on our radar screen. We’ve got a lot of money invested in ballplayers. The players themselves have tremendous playing opportunities in terms of what they can earn. And I think it’s important that we protect them.

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MLB originally suspended Utley for two games, but he appealed the decision. The appeal won't be heard until Monday, Oct. 19. Manfred said that he and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) can begin negotiating on an agreement for a new slide rule after the hearing is complete.   

If the sport has seen contact with catchers outlawed during plays at the plate, it would be difficult to make a case against the protection of defenseless, gearless middle infielders.