A quick spot-check shows that in 1970 and 1971, the Cardinals 40-man roster included 22 and 23 pitchers respectively.
Last year they carried 17.
Truth is, I can't tell whether this supports my point or not. But to be clear, my point isn't the tongue in cheek headline. It's that potentially great hitters are electing to pitch because baseball values pitching more. There's the pressure we've seen from posters here, and there's more money.
Which might explain why offensive production is not keeping pace with improved pitching.