MLB proposes new free agent signing timeline and roster changes
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 27, 2026, 9:00 PM
Last updated Aug 27, 2026
Major League Baseball has proposed a plan to limit free agent signings to a few weeks in December and from early February onwards. The plan includes a ban on trades during the gap between these periods and aims to encourage a more active offseason similar to the NFL and NBA. This proposal is contingent on the adoption of a salary cap system, which the players' union has opposed. Additionally, MLB suggests reducing the maximum in-season options to the minor leagues from five to four and implementing weekly rosters.
- •Proposal includes limited free agency signing periods in December and February.
- •Changes would ban trades between signing windows.
- •Plan aims for increased offseason activity similar to other leagues.
- •Contingent on adopting a salary cap system opposed by the players' union.
- •Suggested roster changes include reducing minor league options.
- 9:01 PMESPN — MLB eyes free agent frenzy period like NFL, NBA
- 8:51 PMYahoo Sports — MLB reportedly proposing plan to shorten offseason free agency window to 2-3 weeks; MLBPA says proposal would 'eliminate player rights'
- 7:35 PMYahoo Sports — MLB proposes limiting free agent signings to a few weeks in December and then from February on
"Major League Baseball has proposed limiting free-agent signings to several weeks in December and then from early February on each offseason along with a ban on trades during the gap in between. The plan offered to the players' association Thursday is contingent on adoption of the salary cap system MLB proposed in May, which the union has vowed never to accept. MLB also proposed lowering the maximum in-season options to the minor leagues from five to four and adopting a system of weekly rosters.
"MLB has proposed limiting free agent signings to several weeks in December and then from early February on each offseason along with a ban on trades during the gap in between.
"The proposal would reportedly reduce the offseason free agency window to just a few weeks in December.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 27, 2026, 9:01 PMMLB eyes free agent frenzy period like NFL, NBA
MLB has proposed limiting free agent signings to several weeks in December and then from early February on each offseason along with a ban on trades during the gap in between.
- Yahoo SportsAug 27, 2026, 8:51 PMMLB reportedly proposing plan to shorten offseason free agency window to 2-3 weeks; MLBPA says proposal would 'eliminate player rights'
The proposal would reportedly reduce the offseason free agency window to just a few weeks in December.
- Yahoo SportsAug 27, 2026, 7:35 PMMLB proposes limiting free agent signings to a few weeks in December and then from February on
Major League Baseball has proposed limiting free-agent signings to several weeks in December and then from early February on each offseason along with a ban on trades during the gap in between. The plan offered to the players' association Thursday is contingent on adoption of the salary cap system MLB proposed in May, which the union has vowed never to accept. MLB also proposed lowering the maximum in-season options to the minor leagues from five to four and adopting a system of weekly rosters.
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