MLB Pitches 154-Game Season and Expanded Playoffs to Win Salary Cap Approval

Key points

• MLB proposes a 154-game regular season starting in 2029, down from the current 162 games.
• The Division Series would expand from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format.
• Higher-seeded teams would gain the right to choose their opponents in the Wild Card and Division Series rounds, starting in 2027.
• The current CBA expires on December 1, 2026, making these negotiations critical for the league's future structure.
• The MLBPA has stated that it will review the proposals but emphasizes that they are contingent on accepting a salary cap.

Background

MLB has been engaged in extensive CBA negotiations since the summer of 2026. Previous proposals included a 26-man weekly roster, a limited free-agency window, and a reduction in service time required for free agency. The league has also proposed a salary floor and a 50-50 revenue split. The current 162-game season has been standard since 1962, while the 154-game format was last used in 1960. Recent archive coverage indicates that the 2026 regular season concluded with significant playoff implications, including the Phillies securing the final NL Wild Card and the Rangers being eliminated.

How outlets are covering it

Bleacher Report and CNBC highlight the structural changes, noting that the 154-game season would create a national broadcast window for Monday games. Sportico provides a deeper financial analysis, pointing out that local media rights have declined from 23% of team revenue in 2022 to 17% in 2025, prompting MLB to prioritize national broadcast deals. MLB spokesman Glen Caplin argues that a shorter season benefits player health and enhances the postseason. Conversely, the MLBPA, as reported by all sources, views these changes as 'anti-player' and contingent on a salary cap that they argue 'guts player rights and compensation.' The league has taken the unusual step of publicizing these proposals to pressure the union.

Why it matters

The outcome of these negotiations will determine the future structure of MLB, including the length of the season, the format of the playoffs, and the financial framework governing player salaries. A successful implementation of the 154-game season and expanded playoffs could significantly alter the league's revenue model, shifting focus from local to national media rights. The introduction of a salary cap would be a historic change for MLB, the only major American sports league without one, potentially impacting player compensation and team payroll strategies.

What to watch

The MLBPA will review the latest proposals and respond at the bargaining table. The current CBA expires on December 1, 2026, setting a deadline for the negotiations. If no agreement is reached, a lockout could occur, potentially impacting the 2027 season. The league will continue to push for the salary cap and the structural changes, while the MLBPA will likely resist the cap and any proposals that reduce player compensation.