Major League Baseball

Baseball Labor Highlights

Published Nov. 22, 2011 7:18 p.m. ET

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Details of the new labor agreement announced Tuesday between baseball players and owners:

Length: The agreement starts Dec. 12 and runs through Dec. 1, 2016.

Human growth hormone: Players will be subject to blood testing for HGH during offseason and spring training starting in February 2012. There is no agreement yet on random testing in-season. There can be testing at any time for cause. The penalty for a positive test is the same as for a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug in urine testing: 1st infraction-50 games, 2nd infraction-100 games, 3rd infraction-lifetime ban.

Urine drug testing: Offseason random tests for performance-enhancing substances will increase from the current 125 tests to up to 200 in the 2012-13 offseason, 225 in 2013-14 and 250 each offseason starting in 2014-15.

Alcohol: Players suspected of an alcohol problem, including those arrested for DWI or other alcohol-related crimes, must undergo mandatory evaluation.

Realignment: The Houston Astros will move from the NL Central to the AL West for the 2013 season, leaving each league with 15 teams.

Postseason: Expands to 10 teams in 2012 or 2013, with the non-division-winning teams with the two best records in each league qualifying as wild cards, along with the three division winners. The wild cards in each league will meet in a one-game series, with the winners advancing to the division series. A decision on whether the expanded playoff will start in 2012 will be made by March 1, although owners hope for a decision by their January meeting.

Video review: Expands to fair/foul calls and trap calls, subject to an agreement with umpires.

Smokeless tobacco: Players, managers, and coaches will be prohibited from using smokeless tobacco during televised interviews and team appearances. Once stadium gates open, players, managers and coaches must conceal tobacco products and may not carry tobacco products in their uniforms or on their bodies.

Helmets: By 2013, all players must wear a new Rawlings batting helmet designed to protect against pitches at up to 100 mph.

All-Star Game: Players will be required to participate in the All-Star game, unless injured or excused.

Amateur draft and international play: Restraints on signing bonuses are put in place.

Luxury tax: The threshold will remain at $178 million for 2012-13, then increase to $189 million for 2014-16.

Free agency: Major league free agents who sign minor league contracts who are not added to the opening day roster or unconditionally released five days before opening day receive additional $100,000 retention bonus and the right to opt out by June 1.

Salary arbitration: The top 22 percent of players by service time with at least 2 years of major league service and less than 3 years of service are eligible for salary arbitration starting with following the 2012 season, up from 17 percent.

Revenue sharing: Under new rules, teams in the 15 largest markets gradually will become ineligible to receive.

Minimum salary: Major league minimum is $480,000 for 2012-13; $500,000 for 2014, then has cost-of-living increases.

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