MLBPA proposes 89-game season, expanded playoffs

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The Major League Baseball Players Association has made a proposal to MLB for a season of 89 games, with a full prorated share of salary and expanded playoffs, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN on Tuesday ... it is 25 games fewer than the union's most recent proposal of 114 games at full pro rata, sources told ESPN.

But an MLB source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN's Karl Ravech that the proposal is a nonstarter. "Out of concern for the players' health, extending the regular season past Sept. 27 won't happen," the source told Ravech. "There is a window of playing between 60 [and] 70 regular-season games, but pay still remains an issue." MLB on Monday proposed a 76-game season that would cover up to 75% of players' prorated salaries.

This newest MLBPA proposal would have the season start July 10 and end Oct. 11, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. It also would expand the postseason to 16 teams (eight in each league) for 2020 and 2021.

Like MLB's proposal Monday, this offer has the players sharing in a pool of at least $50 million if the playoffs are played without fans.

If the sides are unable to agree to a deal, the league has the ability to implement a schedule of its desired length. It has focused recently on a potential 48-game season, sources told ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29289638/sources-mlbpa-proposes-89-game-season-expanded-playoffs