On October 14, 2026, MLB sent the MLBPA its latest collective bargaining proposal, with the current deal expiring in December. The offer shortens the regular season to 154 games, expands the division series to best-of-seven, lets top seeds pick opponents, raises the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1 million and cuts free agency from six years to five. Reporting since adds that owners will push to close the deferred-money loophole and limit free-agent contract length, all tied to a salary cap. The discussion weighs the player-friendly terms against the cap question and argues for going further, to 144 games and seven-game series throughout.