In its latest proposal to the union with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in weeks, Major League Baseball has proposed a 154-game schedule along with two significant changes to playoff formatting.
The Division Series, currently best-of-fives, would be expanded to best-of-seven series, while the higher-seeded teams would be permitted to pick their opponents in the first two rounds. The potential changes would be put in place for the 2029 season.
The league adopted a 162-game schedule in 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League. From 1904 to 1960, it had been a 154-game schedule.
A spokesperson for the league touted the proposal as prioritizing players’ health.
“Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off-day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players,” Glen Caplin said. “A shorter regular season unlocks making October even better for our fans — with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer Division Series, and more opportunities to see the game’s best pitchers on the biggest stage. And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.”
The CBA is set to expire on Dec. 1. The potential institution of a salary cap is expected to be the thorniest issue in negotiation, something confirmed by the union’s response later on Thursday.
“The league made multiple scheduling proposals today,” the MLBPA statement read. “We are reviewing these materials, including the proposed changes to the playoff format. Players will weigh in on these proposals and we will respond at the bargaining table. Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players’ agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals.”
Major League Baseball is currently the only one of the “Big 4″ leagues that does not operate under a cap.