MLB’s newest 2020 plan involves a universal DH and an expanded post-season

After weeks of speculating and floating ideas out into the public with varied responses, it appears that Major League Baseball has a plan to get its season started.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the 30 MLB owners have voted to approve a proposal for the 2020 season. On Tuesday, the proposal will be sent to the MLB Players’ Association for approval.

The proposal that the owners voted on on Monday was based largely around a new revenue-sharing plan that would have the league share 48 percent of its revenue with the players. Figuring out some kind of equilibrium on the economics of the 2020 season (without fans in the stadiums buying tickets and merchandise and concessions) was the first step to getting the season started.

Beyond the money stuff, MLB’s plan for a 2020 season involves…

The interesting thing here is how MLB is shoehorning in two key changes, the universal DH and an expanded post-season field, into its proposal for the 2020 season. These are two things that Rob Manfred has wanted to make a reality, and it seems the league is using this situation as an opportunity to implement it.

The deal, of course, would only be for this year in particular, but, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the universal DH and a larger post-season field were two things that were kept around in the future when (if????) things get back to normal.

Another interesting thing here, given the fact there certainly won’t be minor league ball this year, MLB is planning to allow for a 30-man roster with a 20-man minor-league taxi squad. So, if the Jays were planning to stash Nate Pearson in Triple-A for a little while, well, there won’t be a Triple-A to stash him in.

So, from a Blue Jays perspective, we would be watching the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, and Rays a whole bunch, and we would also be seeing the NL East teams, the Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Braves, and Nationals. Even with more teams making the post-season, that would be a tough group to compete with.

Still, this is all just a proposal coming from MLB. It doesn’t mean anything is imminent nor does it mean the season is about to get rolling. The MLBPA still has to get on board with the plan and there are plenty of obstacles to jump through when it comes to executing games around the country.