Owners of the MLB clubs and the MLB Players Association have agreed on the eve of the deadline on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the next five seasons of Major League Baseball. The new CBA now needs to be ratified by owners and players.
After lots of rumors in the last few weeks relatively less major changes will be coming in the future. There won’t be changes to the roster size of MLB teams and there won’t be an international draft. However bonuses for international signings will receive a hard cap between five and six millions dollar per team.
Additionally beginning with the 2018 season the regular season will begin mid-week to accommodate additionally off days into the schedule, a measure also to play regular season games in London and Mexico. Smokeless tobacco will be banned for incoming Major League players.