08/27/26 03:21:00
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08/27 15:17 CDT MLB proposes limiting free agent signings to a few weeks in
December and then from February on
MLB proposes limiting free agent signings to a few weeks in December and then
from February on
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Major League Baseball proposed limiting free-agent signings
to several weeks in December and then from early February on each offseason
along with a trade ban during the gap in-between, a plan aimed at creating more
of an offseason transaction flurry similar to those in the NFL and NBA.
The plan offered to the players' association Thursday is contingent on adoption
of the salary cap system MLB proposed in May, which the union has vowed never
to accept.
"A cap-and-floor system would unlock additional opportunities to improve the
game for players and fans, creating more stability in rosters, getting the best
players to the major leagues more quickly, and accelerating the pace of the
offseason," MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. "In our current
economic system, these changes would be too harmful to competitive balance and
would not be practical."
Union head Bruce Meyer immediately criticized the plan.
"Their latest proposals regarding free agency would eliminate player rights by
establishing an artificial free agency window, subject to a salary cap, which
would reduce player leverage and create a game of musical chairs pitting player
vs. player," he said in a statement. "The suggestion that the only way to limit
roster churn, or incentivize earlier free agent signings is with a salary cap
is entirely unserious."
Management's prior cap proposal led to a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 and the
first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.
Under the current rules, players can become free agents starting the day after
the World Series but may not negotiate money terms with new teams until the end
of the "quiet period" at 5 p.m. Eastern time on the fifth day after the World
Series ends.
MLB proposed extending the quiet period until noon Eastern on the Monday of the
winter meetings, usually held in early December. It would allow negotiations
during the quiet period but would not permit any contracts to be finalized.
Free agents could sign through 5 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 21 and then wouldn't be
allowed to until noon Eastern on the first Monday in February, just ahead of
spring training.
During the period the players are not allowed to sign, there would be a
prohibition on trades, similar to the current ban from early August through the
end of the postseason.
MLB said the additional time would be needed for revenue and salary cap figures
to be finalized ahead of the business season.
MLB proposed to cap spending in 2027 at $245.3 million, using figures for
luxury tax payrolls that include $20.1 million for benefits and the
pre-arbitration bonus pool. It also would establish a payroll floor of $171.2
million, forcing some teams to spend more.
Free-agent eligible players would be limited to deals of $265 million and six
years. Under the current rules, outfielder Juan Soto negotiated a record $765
million, 15-year deal with the New York Mets after the 2024 season.
"MLB expressly conditioned these proposals on the players' agreement to a
salary cap system, which would drastically reduce overall player compensation,
eliminate fully guaranteed contracts through escrow, and turn back the clock on
fundamental player rights," Meyer said of Thursday's plan.
MLB also proposed lowering the maximum in-season options to the minor leagues
from five to four and adopting a system of weekly rosters. Teams would be
allowed 14 pitchers, up from the current limit of 13 when the 26-man roster
limit is in effect from the season's start through Aug. 31.
Players have proposed optional assignments be cut to three.
"The league is not interested in any changes that don't directly reduce the
rights of all players and shift leverage to the owners," Meyer said.
Teams would be limited to making callups from the minors and demotions to the
period after Sunday's games and before Monday's contests, with exceptions for
injured list decisions and moves to replace those who got hurt.
Option and injured list periods would be changed from 10 days to one week for
position players and from 15 days to two weeks for pitchers, but those periods
would start with the first full week after a player goes on the IL. For
instance, a pitcher going on the IL or optioned on a Wednesday would have to
spend at least 19 days on the IL: the five remaining days that week plus an
additional 14 days.
MLB proposed what currently is the 60-day IL, which doesn't count against the
40-man roster, increase to 12 weeks.
MLB would drop the period by one year for having to protect a player from the
Rule 5 draft, to the fourth draft for players who signed their initial contract
under age 20 and to three for those 20 and over at the time of their first deal.
Management would allow players selected in the draft to be optioned. Under the
current rule, a selected player must be offered back to his former team before
he can be assigned to the minors.
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