MLB offers a 154-game delayed season with extended playoffs for 2021, compared

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues unchecked in the United States, spring training is expected to open in just over two weeks. MLB is hoping to delay the start of the 2021 season but cannot do so unilaterally, so for now spring training and opening day are on schedule.

That may soon change. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports The MLB recently proposed a framework for a 154-game delayed season at the MLBPA. Here are the main details of the proposal:

• 154-game season with full pay for players
• Season delayed by one month and extended by one week
• Expanded postseason

Spring training would begin March 28 according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, and the opening day would be postponed to April 28. The the Wall Street newspaperJared Diamond adds the extended playoffs would feature 14 teams, not 16 like last season.

Delaying the season by a month and extending the season by a week suggests there would be scheduled doubles throughout the season, even with eight games cut off the schedule. Presumably, universal DH, seven-inning doubles, and the extra-inning tiebreaker rule are included in the MLB proposal.

Brown says the players union is considering the MLB proposal and it should be noted that Recently rejected MLBPA an offer that would have given them universal DH in exchange for an expanded postseason. The new 154-game season proposition is essentially the same offer, only with eight games less and a delayed start.

The MLB proposal seems reasonable enough at first glance, although the MLBPA isn’t getting anything as valuable as the extended playoffs for owners. An extended postseason equates to tens of millions of additional income for MLB. The union is already entitled to full pay for 2021. It doesn’t get much out of it.

As much as delaying the season would make sense for health and safety reasons, it’s also about money. MLB wants to play as many games as possible with fans in the stands, and delaying the season would help them do so now that the vaccine distribution has started. MLBPA wants full pay regardless of the length of the season.

Spring training camps are scheduled to open in mid-February, and the Cactus League and Grapefruit League matches will begin on February 27. The opening of the regular season is scheduled for April 1.