4 NL Teams That Would Have Benefited from the DH

The DH, long a point of controversy among baseball purists, has served as a tool to extend careers for aging sluggers and give managers more flexibility with jammed lineups.

Several teams in the NL could have used the DH this year, a couple might even have had different ends to their seasons.

While teams like the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox can roll out Victor Martinez and David Ortiz in the lineup, National League teams often have to leave talented hitters waiting in the dugout for a chance to pinch hit.

Here's four NL teams that might have had a different story to this season if they were able to use a DH.

1. St. Louis Cardinals

There's a lineup log jam in St. Louis that has likely left several runs on the bench.

Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, John Jay and Craig Allen in the outfield leaves someone out of the lineup.  Berkman will play first, but that's obviously Albert Pujols' spot when he's healthy.

The DH would have helped keep the Cardinals' talented quartet of hitters in the everyday lineup and might have kept them closer to the Brewers down the stretch.

2. NY Mets

Injuries have made the 1B/3B log jam in New York not quite as much of an issue, as it could have been a real lineup nightmare.

Ike Davis' injury opened the door for a couple of other guys who have proved to be competent major league hitters. Daniel Murphy, who can also spell David Wright at third base, has the second highest batting average for NL first baseman.

Lucas Duda has much better splits at first base than the outfield, potentially leaving the Mets with a stockpile of young first baseman.

The DH would free up a spot to get one of these guys back in the lineup.

3. Chicago Cubs

There's nothing about Carlos Pena that doesn't say DH, except the fact that he plays in the NL.

Pena has immense power, a low average, a poor glove and strikes out a ton. Still, he's far and away the best power hitter that the Cubs have so he needs to stay in the lineup somehow.

While there isn't many options in the Cubs' system for an immediate answer at first base, the DH could have allowed minor league journeyman Bryan Lahair a longer look after leading the minors in home runs this season.

4. Milwaukee Brewers

Prince Fielder has DH written all over him. All stick and no glove.

The Brewers didn't end up needing the DH to help them win the NL Central, but it could have helped them due to their talented young catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

Lucroy has been a dependable stick in the Brewers' lineup, but as the rigors of the position take their toll it's inevitable that he'd need a break. The DH spot would allow him to do this, or possibly give him an opportunity at first.

It might all be for naught, however, as it appears Fielder is close to being an AL DH next year.