Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association voted to accept an offer for a new labour agreement, paving the way for a 162-game season to begin on April 7.
The collective bargaining agreement must still be ratified by both sides before it becomes official however, once that happens Spring Training camps are expected to open this Sunday bringing a 99 day-lockout to an end.
According to MLB.com, the five-year deal is expected to include increased minimum salaries, a new pre-arbitration bonus pools to reward top young players, a raise in competitive balance tax thresholds, the introduction of a universal designated hitter, the widest-ranging draft lottery in pro sports, a system to prevent alleged service-time manipulation, limits on the number of times a player can be optioned in a season and a 12-team postseason.
MLB sent the offer to players Thursday and gave them until 3 p.m. to accept in order to play a full season.
Players will have 28 days of training rather than the usual 42 days for pitchers and catchers.
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