MLB Notebook: Manfred has need for speed - with or without help of players' union

Commissioner Rob Manfred didn’t expressly say so during his visit to Fenway last week, but it seems a certainty that he’s ready to take some dramatic steps to improve pace-of-play for 2018. The moves could include – but not be limited to – installing a pitch clock that would mandate that pitchers deliver the ball in 20 seconds or less when the bases are empty.

Some background: Manfred attempted to engage the Players Association this past spring in negotiations designed to speed up games. The PA, however, was dead set against any of his proposals.  But having been rebuffed by the union, Manfred now has the right and the power to unilaterally implement these changes without the PA’s input for next year.

“We had had proposed rule changes into the 2017 season,’’ said Manfred, “that we did not reach an agreement with the MLB PA. We have not withdrawn those proposals, which would, at some point, put us in a position to have the right to unilaterally implement. My strong preference, grounded in my view of effective labor relations, is that I would like to make an agreement with the Players Association about what changes are most appropriate for the game.’’

And Manfred left little doubt that he believes pace-of-play to of paramount importance.

“From our perspective,’’ Manfred said, “I think it’s imperative that we make some changes next year in terms of rules that will keep players focused on the issue of pace-of-game because, candidly, we have not had a good pace-of-game year.

There’s still time for the Players Association to come to the bargaining table and have a hand in what changes are coming. How foolish they’ll be to act as obstructionists and not participate, since it’s clear changes are coming one way or another.

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It would seem impossible to be the general manager of a highly successful team in New York, and still be underrated, but that was the case with Gene Michael, who died Thursday at 79.

Michael somehow got insufficient credit for being as responsible as anyone for the Yankees winning four World Series between 1996 and 2000 – even though, by the time they were won, he was no longer GM. Yet it was he who oversaw the Yankees development system that produced the Core Four of Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.

And it was Michael who resisted George Steinbrenner’s “suggestion’’ that he trade off young stars like Bernie Williams and Rivera. It was Michael who remained firm in his belief in Jeter, even when the young shortstop prospect made an astounding 56 errors one year in Single A.

“He had a great gift for not only evaluating players, but he also the great gift of making players feel like they were the best in the world,’’ said Red Sox third base coach Brian Butterfield, who knew Michael well from his time as a minor league instructor, minor league manager and major league coach in the Yankees’ system.

“He had so many great qualities. I remember losing (to the Seattle Mariners in the 1995 ALDS) and I remember Stick coming into that clubhouse and he had a big smile on his face and he hugged everybody and said, ‘That’s life.’ I thought he was Cool Hand Luke.

“He made you feel good when you messed up. He was a great leader and a great man. (His passing) really hit home with my family. He sure impacted our lives.’’

Michael had the strength and resolve to stand up to Steinbrenner and tell him things the fiery owner didn’t want to hear. For that, he was respected and revered.

More than anything, Michael earned a reputation as a terrific talent evaluator who, far better than most, could project a player’s abilities and discern his ceiling.

‘’He was never afraid to go to bat for (a player),’’ said Butterfield, “because he had great confidence in his own ability to evaluate and to lead. He just had that great gift to evaluate correctly.’’

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Paranoia toward the Yankees can get a little much.

First, Red Sox fans were outraged that, in particular, Gary Sanchez, wasn’t suspended in time for the four-game series with the Yankees last weekend, failing to note that the arbitrator in such cases – John McHale – must juggle his own schedule as well as that of the players being disciplined.

The long-held belief that Joe Torre is somehow ginning the system to benefit the Yankees couldn’t be more inaccurate. First, Torre is a man of integrity. Second, although he enjoyed great success managing the Yanks to four championships, Torre played for three different teams (Braves, Cardinals, Mets) in his career, managed four clubs (Cardinals, Mets, Braves and Dodgers) and worked as a broadcaster for another (Angels).

Though he’s a native New Yorker, he grew up a Giants’ fan. And Torre was fired by the Yankees in a salary dispute. But somehow, 10 years later, he’s still trying to rig things in their favor?

The silliness continued this week when Major League Baseball moved the upcoming Rays-Yankees series to Citi Field out of fear that the Tampa area would still be dealing with the after-effects of Hurricane Irma.

“Home game!” screamed some Red Sox fans on social media. “No travel for the Yankees!” wailed others.

But Citi Field wasn’t the first choice for MLB. In fact, it was something of a last resort in the search for an alternative site for the series. In fact, MLB considered putting the series in Seattle’s Safeco Field or Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field. But the former was deemed too disruptive for travel for both teams, and in the case of the latter, due to a big convention in Chicago, there was insufficient hotel space to house both teams.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, his team still nominally in the wild card chase, didn’t complain about the series in New York. So maybe Red Sox fans shouldn’t either.

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Have the Cleveland Indians become the team to beat in the American League?

They are tied for the A.L.'s best record, but while the Astros got all the attention for making the biggest in-season acquisition when they landed Justin Verlander, the Indians just keep winning.

The Indians’ streak began when the Red Sox were in Cleveland for a four-game set in August. The Indians won the final game of the four-game set on Aug. 24 – and haven’t lost since.

Since then, they’ve outscored opponents by an astounding 113-30 total and recorded six shutouts. They’ve pulled away from second-place Minnesota in the A.L. Central and are now tied with Houston for the best record in the league.

Remarkably, they’ve gone on this run without contributions from two of their best position players – Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley – and while missing Andrew Miller, their most valuable (and versatile) reliever.

The Indians wouldn’t seem to have many weaknesses. They play good defense, they’re an excellent baserunning team, their rotation is strong and their bullpen is deep.

A key in October may well be the availability of Miller, who was deployed last fall in brilliant fashion by Terry Francona. The lefty is on the DL for the second time with a knee ailment.

“Without Miller, they’re still pretty good,’’ said one scout. “But he’s the ‘X’ factor. If he’s healthy for the postseason, they’re in a whole other category.’’

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Meanwhile, somewhat inevitably, the Dodgers have cooled down.

The Dodgers seemed positioned to set the modern record for most wins in a season, and it was only a couple of weeks ago that Sports Illustrated put them on the cover and asked: Best Team Ever?

A bit premature, perhaps. Since then, the Dodgers have lost 13-of-14, were swept by the Diamondbacks on the road and at home, and heading into Saturday, had dropped eight in a row. It got so bad that reliever Pedro Baez was booed at Dodger Stadium Friday night, prompting manager Dave Roberts to, in turn, rip the fans.

“I think it’s ridiculous,’’ Roberts told reporters, “that this guy who grew up a Dodger and does nothing but compete, continues to grow and has a two-and-a-half (ERA) – and he gets booed at home. That’s something that really pissed me off.’’

The Dodgers will win the division – even with the recent hot streak by the Diamondbacks – but there will be enormous pressure on them in October. Anything less than winning the National League pennant will be considered a colossal failure.

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For someone who has hit cleanup for much of the season, Hanley Ramirez’s run production leaves a lot to be desired.

According to BaseballMusings.com, among hitters who’ve come to the plate with at least 300 baserunners on base, entering Saturday, Ramirez has knocked in only 9.59 percent, the worst figure in the game. The Cubs' Kris Bryant (10.53) was next, followed by the Rangers' Rougned Odor (11.52).

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Nice to see Will Middlebrooks back in the big leagues, called up by Texas as rosters expanded in reward for a fine season at Triple A Round Rock.

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More and more, you hear the San Francisco Giants as the favorite to acquire Giancarlo Stanton this winter – assuming the Marlins move him.

The Giants’ outfield is without a lot of punch, and they need a star around which to market themselves. Stanton, an L.A. native, has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but is said to want to play on the West Coast if he is traded.

San Francisco doesn’t have a deep farm system, but they may have the financial wherewithal to take on most of the remaining salary obligations, which, frankly, is of more concern to the Marlins incoming ownership group.