Dodgers Players Criticize MLB Draft Changes as Money-driven

WHO:

NY Post - Freddie Freeman, a player for the Dodgers, criticized Major League Baseball's draft proposal.

ESPN - Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) are involved in the negotiations regarding the draft proposal.

WHAT:

NY Post - MLB proposed changes to the amateur draft process, including the exclusion of high school players and reducing the draft from 20 to 12 rounds.

ESPN - The proposed changes include implementing an international draft, hard-slotting signing bonuses capped at $200 million, and allowing all draft picks to be traded.

ESPN - The minimum age for international entry would increase from 16 to 18, and the minimum age for the domestic draft would be 20 on September 1.

ESPN - Undrafted players could sign for a maximum of $10,000 under the new proposal.

WHERE:

ESPN - The proposal affects players in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and international players outside these regions.

WHEN:

ESPN - The expiration of MLB's collective bargaining agreement is in 166 days.

ESPN - The next international amateur signing period is set to begin on January 15, 2027, with a proposed draft to occur between September 2027 and March 2028.

WHY:

ESPN - MLB's stated objective for the proposal is to create a draft system centered around college-aged players to strengthen college baseball and enhance player development.

ESPN - The proposal aims to mitigate the financial impact of high school players entering the draft, which MLB believes could lead to megadeals for young talent.

HOW:

ESPN - The proposal includes hard-slotting for signing bonuses, which would limit the flexibility teams currently have in allocating their bonus pools.

ESPN - MLB plans to address issues of corruption in international amateur baseball through the implementation of an international draft.

(UPDATED June 20, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Freddie Freeman, a player for the Dodgers, has criticized Major League Baseball's draft proposal, which is currently being negotiated between MLB and the MLB Players Association. The proposed changes aim to reshape the amateur draft process by excluding high school players, reducing the draft from 20 to 12 rounds, and introducing an international draft, while also increasing the minimum age for both domestic and international entries. The next international amateur signing period is set to begin on January 15, 2027, with a proposed draft expected to take place between September 2027 and March 2028.