Major League Baseball is considering a proposal that would allow certain players to reach free agency after five years of service time instead of the current six-year requirement, according to Jeff Passan. The plan specifically aims to provide a faster path to the open market for players categorized as "late bloomers."
Currently, MLB players must accumulate six full years of major league service time to qualify for unrestricted free agency. Under the existing rules, one year of service is defined as 172 days spent on a big-league roster out of the 187 days in a standard season. The proposed change would reduce that requirement to five years for a specific subset of players, potentially altering the landscape of player control and market entry.
This proposal addresses long-standing discussions regarding service time and how veteran players reach the open market. While the framework for "late bloomers" has been introduced, the specific criteria and qualifications for this designation remain part of the ongoing proposal process. No official changes have been implemented at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
