The Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1. All has been quiet regarding this issue as the two sides look to hammer out a deal without any stoppages.
MLB and the MLBPA have been hard at work to come to terms on a deal as both sides know they have way too much to lose with a work stoppage.
There have been talks of some changes we may see come to fruition in the new CBA. Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that MLB is pushing for an international draft in the new agreement.
According to the article, the new international draft would begin in March of 2018 and include 10-rounds that would be held over two days. The new proposition would have players being eligible to be drafted at the age of 18 by the year 2021.
Part of this new change would also see MLB operate facilities in the Dominican Republic for future players to develop and showcase their skills. There has also been talk of international players being eligible to receive signing bonuses as those who enter the standard MLB draft obtain.
There are some rule changes we may see come about in the new agreement as well as laid out by YES.
One of the most talked about issues over the last few years seem to be the possibility of shortening the grueling 162-game regular season. 154 games seems to be the number many point to, a return to baseball’s past.
In turn, there has been talk of expanding the MLB playoffs once more. Many have argued that the Wild Card round is unfair to those teams who make it with just nine-innings determining their fate after a 162-game season.
The talk has lead to a possible best-of-three Wild Card round. In terms, it is fair as well as the winning team will find themselves in a disadvantage entering the division series against the top seed, having possibly burned their top three pitchers.
On the business side of things, there has been much talk from players on how the qualifying offer is ruining free agency. Teams do not want to part with a draft pick in order to sign a primetime player at times. A rework to the qualifying offer seems all but a sure thing for the upcoming CBA.
Other talking points you can find in the comprehensive article from YES include a shorter disabled list, an inactive list and the ongoing saga known as the DH.
Details should begin to emerge soon as the two sides look to close a door in advance of the December 1 deadline. It may go down to the wire, but it is expected that a deal will get done.
