MLB Reportedly Proposes 'Drastic Changes' to Offseason Schedule, Free-Agency in New CBA Proposal

Major League Baseball is proposing a dramatic change to the league's offseason schedule regarding when teams can and can't sign free agents, per ESPN's Jeff Passan , who broke it down:

"A free agent dead period until the first day of the Winter Meetings in early December in which players and teams can negotiate but no deals can be signed. Trades would be allowed during this period."

"Free agency would open the Monday the Winter Meetings begin and would close Dec. 21."

"From Dec. 21 through the first Monday in February, no free agent signings or trades would be allowed."

"Free agents could sign and trades would be allowed again from the first Monday in February onward."

Bob Nightengale of USA Today provided more information.

Speaking of an apparent player union rejection, MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer had this to say on the matter, per Passan. In short, it's clear the players' union isn't in favor here.

"The league, through their propaganda arm, is promoting their latest set of roster and transaction proposals as player-friendly.

"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.

"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.

"The suggestion that the only way to limit roster churn, or incentivize earlier Free Agent signings is with a salary cap is entirely unserious. Players have proposed changes that would address these priorities, but the league is not interested in any changes that don't directly reduce the rights of all players and shift leverage to the owners."

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