Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Major League Baseball on Thursday proposed reducing the number of regular-season games from 162 to 154 and changing playoffs so that top seeds can pick their opponents. The proposals, which also included expanding post-season division series from best-of-five to best-of-seven, were presented in the latest bargaining session between the MLB and its players association, as fears loom of a standoff over salary restrictions that could interrupt next season.
“MLB has proposed returning to a 154-game Regular Season, best-of-seven Division Series, and opponent selection in the Wild Card and Division Series,” said a league statement. The league said shortening the regular season would create a standard weekly off day that would benefit player health. More off days would also be added in the postseason to allow extra rest, with fewer daytime playoff games and additional primetime games, said MLB.
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A new system that allowed higher-seeded clubs in the playoff wild card and division series rounds to select their opponents would be implemented from next year, if agreed. The proposals come as baseball faces the prospect of an owner lockout and potential player strike in the coming months. The next collective bargaining agreement is due to be negotiated by December.
Team owners are pushing for a salary cap and floor, citing huge payroll disparities between clubs which they say have damaged competition. The players association is opposed to any move to reduce the amount clubs pay, and has accused team owners of simply wishing to save themselves money.
In a statement to AFP, the players association said it was reviewing the latest proposals, and would let players weigh in before responding 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,” said the Major League Baseball Players Association statement.
Under the proposals to pick playoff opponents, the third-seeded team in each league would have the option of playing either the fifth or sixth seed in the wild card round. The top seed in each league, which receives a bye in the wild card round, would choose which wild card winner to play in the subsequent round. The proposed shorter regular season, and expanded division series round, would both begin in 2029.
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