MLB Managers React to Rule Changes, Replay, and Clutch Players

This piece dives into the biggest storylines from the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. All 30 big-league managers opened up about everything from the new challenge system to the players they fear most in the game’s biggest moments.

It’s a snapshot of how the people in the dugout see the sport right now—its stars, its innovations, and its future.

The New Challenge System Is Changing Strategy and Fan Experience

Rule changes get a lot of attention every year in Major League Baseball. But few have gotten as much unified approval from managers as the new challenge system.

What started as a controversial tweak has quickly become a strategic weapon and a tool for fan engagement.

Craig Albernaz and several others admitted there’s a learning curve. Still, they stressed how quickly dugouts are adjusting to the new reality.

Managers now have to think in real time about when to pull the trigger on a challenge. That added layer has quietly reshaped late-game decision-making.

Strategic Value Without Slowing the Game

Most managers in Orlando agreed: the challenge system adds drama without slowing the sport down. The timing and number of challenges force them to be selective, turning each review into a meaningful chess move.

For fans, those moments are becoming must-watch TV. The pause, the anticipation, the scoreboard replay—those seconds now carry the same tension as a 3–2 pitch with the game on the line.

Respect for Umpires and Fairness on the Field

Managers showed real respect for the men in blue. They made it clear the challenge system isn’t an attack on umpires, but more like a safety net in a game that moves too fast for perfection.

Multiple managers praised the skill, stamina, and mental toughness umpires bring to a tough job. The challenge system, in their view, boosts the perception of fairness without undermining the authority of the officiating crew.

Now, fixing obvious misses in real time has reduced the friction that used to linger after blown calls.

The Hitters Managers Fear in the Biggest Moments

Ask any manager who keeps them up at night, and a few names come up before the question is even finished. At these Winter Meetings, two hitters dominated that conversation.

In pressure-packed spots, with the game on the line, managers consistently circled back to the same duo: Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

Freddie Freeman: The Relentless Professional

Freeman was described again and again as the hitter you never want to see stepping into the box with runners on and two outs. His mix of elite bat-to-ball skill, situational awareness, and a consistent approach just makes him a nightmare to game-plan against.

Managers emphasized that Freeman doesn’t give away at-bats. Whether he’s driving a ball into the gap or shooting a line drive the other way, he forces pitchers to execute perfectly. Anything less, and he’ll beat you.

Shohei Ohtani: The Game’s Ultimate Matchup Problem

Ohtani, meanwhile, still feels like a unicorn. Even with all the data managers have, Ohtani remains almost unsolvable in tight spots.

His power threat changes how teams pitch not just to him, but to the whole lineup. Several managers pointed to his ability to flip a game with one swing.

When he’s on deck—or in the box—there’s a real sense of danger. You can see it in how bullpens are managed, how matchups are manipulated, how carefully every pitch is chosen.

The Aces Every Manager Would Build Around

On the pitching side, the meetings produced their own short list of arms managers would gladly hand the ball to in a must-win game. The conversation centered on four names, each representing a different flavor of dominance.

Leading the pack were Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. Logan Webb and Cristopher Sanchez earned strong admiration as well.

Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal: Front-Line Firepower

Skenes came up often as the prototypical modern ace—big velocity, intimidating presence, and the stuff to overwhelm lineups. Managers raved about his ability to control a game from the first pitch.

Skubal drew praise for mixing power and precision. His recent dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed; managers love his competitiveness and his knack for getting big outs against the heart of any lineup.

Logan Webb and Cristopher Sanchez: Toughness and Pitchability

Webb’s name popped up as the kind of pitcher you trust when your season is on the line. His ground-ball heavy arsenal and fearless approach make him a favorite among managers who value toughness and efficiency over flash.

Sanchez earned quiet but meaningful respect for his growth and resilience. Managers highlighted his ability to handle traffic, adjust mid-game, and stay composed when others might unravel.

That reliability is gold over a 162-game grind.

Dave Roberts, AJ Hinch, and the Modern Manager’s Role

Amid all the talk about players and rules, the managers themselves didn’t escape scrutiny. The name that kept surfacing with reverence was Dave Roberts, widely lauded for his consistent excellence.

From October pressure to clubhouse culture, Roberts has set a standard many of his colleagues admire and, honestly, try to emulate.

The Respect for Dave Roberts and AJ Hinch

Roberts was described as the most respected manager in the league, a blend of calm leadership and tactical savvy. His postseason track record—navigating high expectations and high-profile rosters—has only solidified that reputation.

AJ Hinch also drew significant praise, especially for his ability to maximize player roles and get buy-in up and down the roster. Both men were held up as models for how to manage modern clubhouses filled with data, personalities, and pressure.

Optimism About the State of the Game

In Orlando, you could feel a cautious but real optimism in the air. Managers talked about a league that’s more competitive than ever.

They see talent spread out across teams, not just stacked in a few places like it used to be. Innovation’s catching fans’ attention in new ways, too.

The challenge system, some fresh aces, and the steady brilliance of guys like Freeman and Ohtani all keep things interesting. Folks closest to the dugout seem convinced—baseball’s evolving and intense, maybe even more engaging for fans who live and breathe the game.

 
Here is the source article for this story: ‘I’m not even not in the top 28. I’m not in the top 29’: MLB managers on rule changes, clutch players and each other