MLB proposes cutting regular season to 154 games; players' union objects over salary cap
In short
Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed in labor talks with the players' union to cut the regular season from 162 to 154 games and expand the division series from best-of-five to best-of-seven, Nikkei reported, carrying a Kyodo report. The union issued a statement objecting, saying the proposal assumes the introduction of a salary cap on total player pay. The current labor agreement expires on December 1.
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Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed on October 8, in negotiations with the players' union over a new labor agreement, to shorten the regular season from 162 games to 154 games from 2029 and to expand the postseason division series from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format, Nikkei reported, carrying a Kyodo report from Los Angeles. NHK also reported the proposal to cut the season to 154 games. [ 2 , 3 ]
The players' union issued a statement objecting to the plan, saying the proposal is premised on introducing a salary cap that would set an upper limit on total player pay, according to Nikkei. NHK reported that the union was negative about the proposal and linked it to a salary cap. [ 2 , 3 ]
MLB also proposed adopting, from next season, a system in which the team with the best winning percentage among those taking part in the wild card series and the division series could choose its opponent. The current labor agreement expires on December 1, and the negotiations are expected to be prolonged, Nikkei's report said. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The proposal would change the length of the MLB regular season and the format of its postseason. The union's objection over a salary cap points to a dispute in the talks for a new labor agreement, which Nikkei's report said are expected to be prolonged.
Key facts
- MLB proposed cutting the regular season from 162 to 154 games. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Under the proposal the division series would expand from best-of-five to best-of-seven. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to Nikkei's report, the proposal was made on October 8 and the shorter season would start in 2029. [ 2 ]
- The players' union issued a statement objecting, saying the proposal is premised on introducing a salary cap on total player pay. [ 2 ]
- MLB also proposed that, from next season, the team with the best winning percentage among those in the wild card series and the division series could choose its opponent. [ 2 ]
- The current labor agreement expires on December 1, and negotiations are expected to be prolonged. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- MLB proposed reducing the regular season from 162 to 154 games in labor negotiations with the players' union. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The proposal includes expanding the division series to a seven-game format. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The players' union linked the proposal to the introduction of a salary cap on player pay. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When the shorter season would take effect. Only Nikkei's report gives 2029 as the start year.
- Whether MLB's proposal depends on a salary cap. This is the players' union's description; the documents give no response from MLB.
- How the negotiations will end. Nikkei's report says only that talks are expected to be prolonged before the current agreement expires on December 1.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun publishes a headline on the MLB plan to shorten the season and expand the division series to seven games. [ 1 ]
- Nikkei publishes a Kyodo report with details of the proposal and the union's objection. [ 2 ]
- NHK reports the 154-game proposal and the union's negative response. [ 3 ]