Sources: MLB Pushing International Draft As Centerpiece Of Change In New CBA With Union

MLB is "pushing for an international draft as a centerpiece of change" in the next CBA with the MLBPA, according to sources cited by Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Under the terms of MLB's initial concept, the new international draft system would start in March '18 with a "10-round draft held over two days." As the new structure evolved, with terms "grandfathered into the process, the minimum age for draft-eligible players would be 18 years old" by '21. MLB would "operate facilities in the Dominican Republic, where international draft prospects would be invited to live to develop their skills and education before becoming eligible." This would also give MLB "much greater control over a process which has often been viewed by baseball executives as a wild, wild West of player procurement." MLB is "proposing the possibility of giving the players in the international draft signing bonuses comparable to what those players in the standard draft receive" (ESPN.com, 10/17).