MLB, Union Agree to 16-Team Playoff Format for 2020

The idea of expanded playoffs went away when MLB had to institute season rules sans agreement with the MLB Players Association, but some last-minute haggling has made a 16-team postseason a reality once again. Multiple reports had the two sides engaged in conversations around the possibility, mainly how the money would be divvied up, and ESPN’s Marly Rivera reported Thursday afternoon that the union has approved a deal.

https://twitter.com/marlyriveraespn/status/1286388376468434944?s=11

According to Bob Nightengale, the changes will be for 2020 only and include a guaranteed $50 million bonus pool for players whether fans are allowed or not. Players will get 60% of the game revenue from the first two games of the first round of the playoffs, which will be best-of-three, so it’s possible that pool could grow if fans can attend by then.

Because there will be eight teams in the playoffs from each league, the single-game Wild Card tilts are no longer in play. There has been talk, however, of holding a selection show in which the top teams would get to choose their opponents in lieu of simply seeding the teams 1-8. Man, imagine being the top seed and picking the team you want to face, then getting beat.

Please let that happen to the Dodgers.

Whatever happens, just remember that it’s only legitimate if the Cubs win.