MLBPA Proposes CBA Rule Changes for Rosters, More As Owners Seek Salary Cap, Max Contract Lengths

The MLB Players Association submitted its latest rule change proposals amid ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, but the proposals aren't related to the owners' push for a salary cap.

Instead, the MLBPA proposed to expand active rosters for the first 15 days of the season from 26 to 28 and to provide MLB service time and salary protections to pitchers optioned to the minor leagues, among other proposals:

The MLBPA wrote that its proposals are "designed to improve the game, protect players' health and safety, strengthen the free market and provide meaningful support to our full fraternity."

The proposals from the MLBPA come less than a week after MLB owners submitted a list of potential changes to maximum contract lengths and minimum salaries as part of the ongoing effort to institute a salary cap system that is similar to other professional sports leagues.

The players have been vehemently against any type of salary cap, and the proposals from the owners didn't do anything to help matters.

"I will tell you with all honesty, I have never seen this degree of unity at this point among agents and players. I think, honestly, the league has done us a favor. Because their proposals are, in fact, so obviously and extremely bad for players at all levels, that it's actually been a benefit for our unity," MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer told reporters last week. "Anybody who's banking on major league baseball players cracking: it's never happened. It's not going to happen. That's why we're the only ones who don't have a salary cap."

Meyer also declared that he expects there will be a lockout once the current CBA expires on Dec. 1.

It appears that the latest proposals are simply the next step in the continued back-and-forth between the players and the owners, so it would be a surprise if either side budges in negotiations.