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Breaking Down Biggest Rule Changes After MLB Reaches New CBA

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVMarch 10, 2022

ALEXANDRIA, VA - DECEMBER 15, 2021: A group of Official Major League baseballs are arranged for a studio portrait on December 15, 2021 in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by 2021 Diamond Images via Getty Images)
2021 Diamond Images via Getty Images

Let there be baseball.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reportedly came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, although it still has to be ratified, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

That means the league-initiated lockout that lasted 99 days is over, and fans can turn their attention toward actual baseball ahead of what will be a full 162-game season.

While the second-longest work stoppage in MLB history dragged on 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, other rule changes also stand out.

Here is a look at some of the biggest ones, which were reported by Passan, ESPN's Jesse Rogers, The Athletic's Evan Drellich 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
  • Six-pick draft lottery
  • 20-round amateur draft
  • 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:<br><br>* No more Game 163 tiebreakers. All playoff spots will be determined through NFL-type tiebreaker formulas.<br><br>* No re-seeding for the LDS. 1st seed plays winner of 4 vs. 5 Wild Card Series. 2nd seed plays 3 vs 6 winner.


In terms of actual on-field changes for individual games, the return to normalcy when it comes to doubleheaders and extra innings could take away some of the randomness of those contests fans saw last year.

Putting a runner on second base to start extra innings meant teams could score a run without a single hit or walk if they worked timely sacrifices in play, and offenses will at least have to rally more to take the lead by eliminating that.

There also may have been something to be said about keeping doubleheaders at seven innings this season since there will be additional ones scheduled to make up for the delayed start to the year because of the lockout, but the normal nine innings will be back on the slate.

As for the universal designated hitter, the rule change creates more job opportunities for the players with 15 more teams needing to fill an additional roster spot.

That is particularly notable since there will likely be a rush on free agents in a limited time span once the new CBA is ratified.