Sports

MLB Proposes Schedule Changes Amid Collective Bargaining Talks

Will this protect players, is it just a TV cash grab or is it a harbinger of a labor crisis?

2 hours ago·Updated 1 hour ago

MLB Proposes Schedule Changes Amid Collective Bargaining Talks

Story

Above: Pedestrians walk past the MLB Flagship Store at MLB headquarters in New York City on Aug. 20. Image credit: Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images

The Facts

Major League Baseball proposed Thursday cutting the regular season to 154 games from 162 beginning in 2029 and expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven, presenting the plan to the players' union during collective bargaining talks.
FOX News
The Associated Press
For the playoffs, it proposed allowing the 3rd seed in each league to choose whether to face the 5th or 6th seed in the Wild Card round, and the number 1 seed would pick its Division Series opponent. The selections would begin in 2027, with the Wild Card round staying best-of-three.
Reuters
ESPN
Owners also proposed adding nine days off to the postseason format, extending it to a maximum of 42 days. Each best-of-seven series would be played over 11 days instead of nine, and the longer Division Series could add up to eight games.
MLB Trade Rumors
The Associated Press
Most teams would be off on Mondays starting in 2029, except on national holidays and for up to two nationally broadcast games, and clubs playing Monday would be off that Thursday. Each team would play four split doubleheaders against division rivals.
FOX News
MLB.com
MLB said player salaries would not be reduced under a 154-game schedule, though thresholds for bonuses, options and similar provisions would be adjusted proportionally. The 2029 start date coincides with the league's next national media deals.
ESPN
The Associated Press
The players' association said it will review the proposals and respond at the bargaining table, adding that the league's offers remain contingent on a salary cap. The current labor contract expires Dec. 1, and owners could potentially lock out players without a resolution.
FOX News
Reuters

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

These are all good ideas for players and the league. Eight fewer games is a bargain, and a weekly off day keeps stars on the field instead of dragging through August. A best-of-seven Division Series finally stops treating a 100-win season like a coin flip, since depth and a full rotation should decide October, not one hot arm. Letting top seeds pick opponents makes chasing the best record worth something again.

On Tap Sports Net

MLB.com

Narrative B

Handing the top seed a menu of opponents turns the bracket into a reality show and lets loaded clubs duck the scariest matchup. Lining the extra playoff games up with the start of the next national media deals shows the motive is broadcast cash. This is not the bargain it's being portrayed as, and the worst part is fans lose eight regular-season games so television can stack more October inventory.

Evan Drellich on X

New York Post

Narrative C

Despite this news of a potential tweak to the MLB schedule amid the looming collective bargaining talks, the underlying systemic labor issues are massive. Owners and executives are even planning draconian measures that would curb dialogue with players and curtail fan access to team websites and videos. Baseball fans are sadly likely to get a front-row seat to a toxic and enduring labor crisis for America's pastime.