CBA negotiations (i.e., probable lockout)

[mikechamp]

I figured it would be helpful to create a thread devoted to the bane of our upcoming winter and (possibly) spring.

Let the discussion begin!

[mikechamp]

Here are a couple of recent news items:

MLB Sends Memo To Teams Outlining Lockout Procedures

Major League Baseball sent a memo to teams last week outlining procedures and guidelines for team personnel during the expected offseason lockout, reports Evan Drellich of The Athletic. “Our commitment has been and remains to exhaust every realistic option to achieve our goal of reaching an agreement with the Players Association,” MLB negotiator Dan Halem wrote in the memo. “However, clubs need to be prepared for the possibility that an agreement will not be reached by then and the clubs are left with no realistic alternative but to implement a lockout of major league players.”

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/10/ ... dures.html

MLB Proposes Shorter Regular Season, Playoff Changes

Major League Baseball proposed a 154-game regular season during a collective bargaining session with the MLBPA today, per an announcement on X. The league also proposed changes to the postseason that would include extending the Division Series to seven games and allowing higher seeds to choose their opponents.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/10/ ... anges.html

[heyzeus]

Great stuff. Let's give the people less baseball, and a playoff gimmick nobody needs that is likely to backfire.

[cardsfantx]

The league also proposed changes to the postseason that would include extending the Division Series to seven games and allowing higher seeds to choose their opponents

could be one of the dumbest things I've read...is this little league/sandlot baseball?

[Popeye_Card]

I've been advocating for a return to 154 games, along with a 7 game division series for a while now. Those parts are fine.

Choosing your opponent - not fine.

[Felix The Cat]

The league also proposed changes to the postseason that would include extending the Division Series to seven games and allowing higher seeds to choose their opponents

could be one of the dumbest things I've read...is this little league/sandlot baseball?

but imagine the drama and press around a team feeling disrespected and pulling an upset victory?!?

[jagtrader]

What no one talks about is adding playoff teams has made the series worse. The Indians and Whits Sox series is close but neither team is any good.

[CardsofSTL]

I would prefer they not FAFO when it comes to baseball.

[ghostrunner]

I’d rather have the first round be 5 games than add 2 to the NLDS. 5 is plenty.

The choosing teams thing is ludicrous. Maybe it’s one of those things that exists just to be taken off the table and point to disingenuously as a concession.

8 fewer games shaves off about 10 million dollars from the median payroll. Players union will probably bring that up.

[Popeye_Card]

8 fewer games shaves off about 10 million dollars from the median payroll. Players union will probably bring that up.

How so? They'll just raise ticket prices to cover, and I doubt there would be any adjustments to existing TV contracts.