Report: MLBPA proposes expanded postseason on eve of deadline

As time runs out for MLB owners and players to reach a deal that can salvage the scheduled start of the forthcoming season, Sunday's discussions included reworking the postseason format.

While owners have been pushing for a 14-team playoff structure, the union countered with a 12-team format that would guarantee more incentives for teams that win their division, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Under the proposal, the best overall team in each league would get a bye to the next round. The other two division winners would be awarded a "ghost win" in a best-of-five series to be played entirely at home, according to Rosenthal. This means the top-seeded team would only need two wins to advance, while the lower-seeded club would need three wins.

The MLBPA also pitched a similar plan for the 14-team format, but the league - which is offering home-field advantage and choice of opponent as its only incentives - has not been receptive.

Other topics were discussed on the eve of the league-imposed negotiation deadline, and one player told Rosenthal that there's still a "long way to go."

The league set Monday as the deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement to be worked out in principle before it starts canceling games.