Report: MLB pushing for international draft in next CBA

Major League Baseball is pushing for a new international draft system in the next collective bargaining agreement with the players' association, sources familiar with the proposal told ESPN's Buster Olney. The current CBA expires in December.

As part of the deal, MLB would reportedly operate facilities in the Dominican Republic and international draft prospects would be invited there to develop their skills and education before becoming draft eligible. The league is also proposing the possibility that players could receive signing bonuses comparable to what players in the standard draft receive.

Under the terms of the initial concept, the system would start in March 2018. A 10-round draft would be held over two days, and the minimum age for draft-eligible players would be 18 years old by 2021.