The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association doesn’t expire until after the 2021 championship season, but the two sides are discussing rule changes that could go into effect as early as this year. On Friday, the union countered a league proposal made on January 14th. According to sources, the two offers covered a wide-ranging list of possible changes, including the following:
A universal designated hitter
A three-batter minimum for pitchers
A single trade deadline before the All-Star break
A 20-second pitch clock
Roster expansion to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum
Reducing September rosters from 40 to 28 (23 active pitchers)
Draft advantages for winning teams and penalties for losing teams
A rule allowing two-sport amateurs to sign major league contracts
Return to 15-day minimum for the injured list
Increasing the minimum amount of time an optioned player spends in the minors from 10 to 15 days
All-Star Game changes that would put a runner at second if the game is tied after the 10th inning
In addition, a proposal on the table calls for the formation of a committee to study the possibilities of lowering the mound, moving it back, and changing the strike zone.