The scheduled start of the 2021 MLB season — and in particular Spring Training — is just around the corner, and the league and Players Association have still yet to agree on some crucial rules.
During the 2020 shortened season, MLB and the MLBPA were able to agree on a universal designated hitter and eventually an expanded postseason, which gave each side what they wanted.
While the new collective bargaining agreement will put rules in place permanently a year from now, it remains to be seen if those will be in place for the 2021 season.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the MBLPA recently rejected the league’s proposal for both the universal DH and expanded playoffs in 2021, so as of now, there will be neither:
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2021
There is still time until the start of Spring Training, so nothing is set in stone yet as there will be more negotiations to come.