Major League Baseball has put forward a significant restructuring proposal during ongoing collective bargaining discussions with the players’ association, suggesting a reduction in regular-season games from 162 to 154 starting in 2029, alongside expanded playoff formats and additional rest days.
The proposal, presented to players on Thursday, includes several key changes aimed at improving player wellness and enhancing the postseason experience. Among the most notable suggestions is extending the Division Series from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format, adding nine additional days off to the current postseason structure, and implementing a “pick your opponent” system for higher-seeded teams.
Shorter Season, More Rest
Under MLB’s plan, the regular season would shrink from 162 games to 154, played over 180 days instead of the current 187-day schedule. This change would introduce a weekly off day for most teams, addressing growing concerns about player fatigue and injury rates.
“Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players,” said MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin in a statement.
The proposal also calls for making most regular-season Mondays a day off, with exceptions only for up to two nationally televised games. Teams playing on Mondays would receive a compensating day off on Thursdays.
Expanded Postseason Format
The playoff structure would undergo substantial modifications, with the Division Series becoming best-of-seven affairs, extending each series from nine to 11 days. Additional rest days would be inserted before Games 5 and 7, potentially allowing top starting pitchers to appear more frequently in crucial contests.
MLB also proposes eliminating early-round afternoon playoff games, which have struggled with attendance in recent years. The new format would feature staggered series starts and limit games to two per day during the first three days of the postseason, rather than the current four games per day.
Higher-seeded teams would gain the ability to choose their opponents in both the Wild Card Series and Division Series, beginning with the 2024 season for the latter rounds. No. 3 seeds could select between hosting No. 5 or No. 6 seeds in the Wild Card Series, while No. 1 seeds would choose which Wild Card winner to face in the Division Series.
Player Compensation Concerns
While MLB has stated that player salaries would not be adjusted for the reduced game count, the proposal has raised concerns among players regarding record-breaking opportunities and bonus provisions tied to games played.
“Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players’ agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals,” the players’ union responded in a statement.
The labour contract expires on December 1, with management expected to lock out players, potentially threatening the 2027 season. MLB’s salary cap proposal, along with limits on contract values and length, represents a significant point of contention in negotiations.
Historical Context and Future Impact
MLB last used a 154-game schedule during the 1904 season, when both the National and American Leagues featured eight teams playing 22 games against each opponent. The AL expanded to 162 games in 1961, with the NL following in 1962.
The proposed changes would mark the most substantial overhaul of the baseball calendar since the introduction of the Division Series in 1995. Each team would be required to play four day-night doubleheaders against division rivals under the new format.
Minor league baseball has already implemented Monday off-days since 2021, providing a potential model for the major league schedule adjustments.
Why it Matters
These proposed changes represent a fundamental shift in how baseball is played and consumed, prioritising player welfare and fan engagement over traditional scheduling norms. The reduction to 154 games could impact everything from individual statistical achievements to team revenue streams, while expanded playoffs promise increased television exposure and postseason revenue. However, the underlying labour dispute over salary caps and player compensation suggests that reaching agreement on these structural changes may prove challenging, potentially affecting multiple seasons ahead.
