Breaking Down Biggest Rule Changes After MLB Reaches New CBA

Let's play baseball.

The new collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association has to be approved by the membership.

Fans can focus on actual baseball now that the league has ended the 99-day lockout.

There were a number of rule changes that stood out as the two sides debated things such as the competitive balance tax threshold, international draft and draft lottery issues, minimum salaries and the pre-arbitration bonus pool.

Some of the biggest ones were reported by Passan, Jesse Rogers, The Athletic, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

• Universal designated hitter

• Nine-inning doubleheaders

• No more runner on second base to start an extra inning

• 12 teams in the postseason

• Players can be optioned five times in a season

• 45-day window for the league to implement rule changes for 2023 that include a pitch clock, ban on shifts and larger bases

Jayson Stark @jaysonst

Some details emerging on how the expanded playoffs will work:* No more Game 163 tiebreakers. All playoff spots will be determined through NFL-type tiebreaker formulas.

* No re-seeding for the LDS. 1st seed plays winner of 4 vs. 5 Wild Card Series. 2nd seed plays 3 vs 6 winner.

Some of the randomness of the contests fans saw last year could be gone because of the return to normal on-field changes.

If a runner is put on second base to start the extra frames, teams will be able to score a run without a single hit or walk, and offenses will have to rally more to take the lead.

The normal nine-inning game will be back on the schedule this season since there will be additional games to make up for the delayed start to the year.

The rule change creates more job opportunities for the players with 15 more teams needing to fill an additional roster spot.

There will likely be a rush on free agents once the new CBA is approved.