MLB, Players Union Agree To Deal; Season To Begin April 7

(KDLM) – The wait is over.

Major League Baseball and the players union agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday afternoon, ending the 99-day lockout. Owners approved the new five-year deal 30-0.

“I am genuinely thrilled to say Major League Baseball is back and we’re going to play 162 games,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “I want to start by apologizing to our fans. I know the last few months have been difficult.”

Despite the announcement of games being canceled through April 15th, the season is expected to begin on April 7th. Free agency and trades will resume on Thursday evening and players can report to training camps tomorrow with exhibition games to begin on March 18 or 19. The games originally scheduled for March 31-April 14 will be made up throughout the season will be made up, adding up to a full 162-game season.

The deal brings two major immediate changes to the sport: a permanent designated hitter in the National League, a draft-lottery system to disincentivize tanking for higher draft position, and the expansion of the playoffs from 10 to 12 teams: two division winners receiving first-round byes and the remaining four teams in a best-of-three wild card round in each league.

The minimum player salary rises from $570,500 to about $700,000 this year, with $20,000 annual increases. The luxury tax threshold rises from $210 million last year to $230 million this season and gradually to $242 million in 2026.

The agreement also includes rules changes beginning with the 2023 season, including a pitch clock, larger base sizes, and even prohibitions on certain defensive shifts.