The Next Labor War: MLB Targets An International Players Draft and Other Draft Changes

[Matthew Nethercott]

Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Yet another wrinkle in the collective bargaining drama has unfolded. ESPN reported earlier today that Major League Baseball has proposed an international draft to the MLB Players Association as part of the new CBA. The current CBA agreement expires on December 1st, 2026, and with months of negotiations ahead, the owners continue to make tall demands before deciding on an official agreement.

Domestic Draft Proposal

MLB seeks to eliminate prospects coming straight out of high school and right into the minor leagues as part of the changes to the existing MLB Draft. Prospects would need to be 20 on September 1st of that draft year and two years removed from high school graduation. MLB also seeks to shorten the domestic draft to 12 rounds. The idea is to make NCAA baseball an extension of the minor leagues, which could limit the time a prospect spends in the minors within a professional organization before making their MLB debut.

"By creating a draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier," a statement from MLB read Thursday, "more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite development environment while reaching professional baseball—and ultimately the major leagues—more quickly. We believe these changes will strengthen college baseball and deepen fans' connection to the next generation of major league stars."

What Is An International Player Draft?

Currently, MLB only has one draft for amateur players in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and allows teams to draft and develop those players in their organizations. Over time, this has evolved with MLB adding the draft lottery to disincentivize tanking to get a higher pick, as we see in the NFL.

The owners propose that the international draft would consist of twelve rounds, like the domestic draft, with eligible players older than 18 as of September 1st of that draft year. Currently, each team is allotted a set amount of money based on their market and standing in the luxury tax bracket, totaling $358,662,500 for the sport in 2026, though the proposal would lower this to $200M. 

When players are drafted and sign their initial deals with teams, the largest bonus they can initially sign for is $10,000. Once they complete a full season in an affiliated minor league, the total could go to $30,000. This is a significant drop-off from the hundreds of thousands of prospects one now gets from the international market, because there is no limit to what a single player could get from a particular team.

The owners did propose an international draft in 2022, the last time we underwent these labor wars, wanting a twenty-round draft and a pool totaling $191 million.

"It is long past time to reform the international amateur system in ways that would address longstanding challenges and benefit future players." Read a statement from MLB on the matter. "The enhanced transparency of the International Draft that we are proposing is a common-sense step forward that best addresses the root causes of corruption in the current system. Our vision for the new international system reduces the pressure on young athletes by giving them the chance to grow and develop, keeps kids in school longer while they pursue a career in baseball, and creates more playing opportunities for the older players who are left behind in today's system."

Why Do MLB Owners Want An International Draft?

The whole shitkick from the owners in these CBA negotiations is competitive balance, though when you look at the current standings and see the White Sox in first place, the point becomes more and more moot. Nonetheless, the owners want to eliminate the handshake agreements that currently exist in international markets, which can create an unfair advantage for teams with better international scouting departments and larger bonus pools. An international draft would even the playing field for all teams. This will also limit one team from dominating a specific market, like the Dodgers' takeover of Japan.

It's important to note that this is just the first proposal for an international draft this time around, and the MLBPA will surely react and counter at some point, as it limits the amount of money international prospects could sign for, not to mention the age limitation. The MLBPA already issued a statement responding to what MLB proposed:

The MLBPA says in a statement that MLB's proposals today re: amateur and international drafts "are flat out bad for baseball, ones that would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game." pic.twitter.com/xdBvVuH62X

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) June 18, 2026

For now, the prospect of changes to the domestic draft and a brand-new international draft is interesting, to say the least, but the proposal might need more work to get across the finish line.

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[old nurse]

A team in a large market having success as a reason to not have competitive balance mechanisms is an interesting way to look at things. Historically mismanaged should not get a free pass. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

2 hours ago, old nurse said:

A team in a large market having success as a reason to not have competitive balance mechanisms is an interesting way to look at things. Historically mismanaged should not get a free pass. 

Inversely, it's not great that Milwaukee and Tampa needs to run at 99% efficiency to compete, whereas the Phillies just throw money at the problem but aren't particularly smart about it. I actually don't want pure, NFL-style balance, but I do want a less stratified system.

[1993 fan from start]

White Sox in first place, not a great point. they can keep up with cubs in the money department .

High school thing good after two years in college. 

 draft for amateur players should be rename   and 16 rounds.  combine International Draft Player  in the last tree rounds . with age  and rules  owner want.  must sing for two years limit at lower price . betting on self . three or more years get paid...    This give the draft more ratings.   

tire of every team must play each other. and  uniform changes. three a year at most. unless a three game worn change during series.