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.
The union has approved the agreement discussed with MLB for expanded playoffs, only for the 2020 postseason; that agreement is now subject only to ratification by the owners, sources tell ESPN.