MLBPA Makes Transaction Proposals to Benefit All Players and Build Upon Industry Momentum

NEW YORK, July 1 -- The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) today made a series of proposals under the umbrella of transactions, rosters and access to data as part of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with Major League Baseball. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in December.

Today’s proposals are designed to improve the game, protect players’ health and safety, strengthen the free market and provide meaningful support to our full fraternity. Among the key components proposed by the MLBPA:

·       Expanding MLB active rosters from 26 to 28 (14 pitcher maximum) for the first 15 days of the championship season-designed to protect players health and safety in the lead up to and just after Opening Day, and provide additional Major League job opportunities for players coming out of Spring Training

·       Allow for placement of players on the 60-day IL as early as the November Tender Deadline- designed to open additional 40-man roster spots for Clubs to utilize in their offseason particularly to replace players with known and lengthier injury recovery timelines 

·       Reduce the number of permissible in-season optional assignment per player from five to three-designed to combat roster churn and promote full-time jobs at the MLB level throughout the year

·       Accelerate eligibility for the Rule 5 Draft and ensure a Rule 5 Draft will be held in 2026 and each year of the next CBA

·       Provide MLB service time and salary protections for all players in September, and for pitchers who are optioned to the Minors over the All-Star break and/or immediately after a game where they met certain performance thresholds-designed to reduce roster manipulation and protect players (often middle relievers and spot sstarters) who are optioned but expected to 'stay hot'

·       Enable all players to access Club-collected non-proprietary performance data and video-designed to increase transparency and allow players to track their work with the same information management is using

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Contact: Silvia Alvarez, MLBPA, 646-285-1819