This article digs into MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s suggestion to move the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to the middle of the season. He sees it as a way to test out a possible midseason tournament and wonders what that could mean for scheduling, broadcasting, and how pitchers get used.
It also looks at the tricky mix of factors in play—broadcast deals, recent WBC viewership, and the complicated process of working through collective bargaining and the postseason calendar.
Why MLB Is Exploring a Midseason World Baseball Classic
The main idea is to use the WBC as a real test run for a midseason tournament. Manfred called the WBC an “ideal opportunity” if MLB wants to try this out for real, saying a midseason slot might be a better testing ground than spring training or the regular season slog.
But the league’s current broadcast deals slow things down. Fox owns the All-Star Game rights through 2028, so any big changes would probably have to wait. Still, the WBC’s huge numbers—like Team USA’s semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, which actually beat the 2025 All-Star Game in viewership—make a pretty strong case that a midyear event could be a hit if planned right.
The Midseason WBC: What Could Change
Moving the WBC to midseason might finally solve the spring training pitching headaches. Pitchers could compete when their arms are in better shape, instead of cramming workload into March.
Pitcher usage is a hot topic. With regular-season innings already piling up, a midyear setup might get more pitchers to join in without risking their health. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa mentioned there was hesitancy this year—clubs wanted to limit closer Mason Miller’s use in the tied 2026 final, putting team interests over national pride.
That kind of thing could look different in a midseason format, with new incentives on the table. DeRosa also pointed to Garrett Whitlock, who ended up pitching the crucial innings, showing how much the structure needs to balance competition with club priorities.
Scheduling, Rights, and the Road to a Decision
Changing things up would take a lot of planning and negotiation, especially with postseason and broadcast commitments already shaping MLB’s calendar. Manfred keeps saying that any change needs long-term thinking and buy-in from clubs, players, and networks.
MLB expects a three- to four-year gap before the next WBC. That’s a window they could use to figure out a midseason format and schedule that doesn’t wreck the regular season or the playoffs.
What Stands in the Way?
- Broadcast deals and the headache of renegotiating with networks, especially since the All-Star Game is locked in through 2028.
- Trying to fit a midseason event into an already jam-packed postseason and championship schedule.
- Collective bargaining talks after the 2026 season, which could set the ground rules for any midyear experiments.
- Getting everyone on board—players, teams, and owners—by sorting out participation rules, injury risks, and what’s in it for the clubs.
Outlook: Could a Midseason WBC Become a Reality?
It really comes down to Manfred’s willingness to push the idea and what happens in the next round of collective bargaining. There’s a three- to four-year window before the next WBC, which gives everyone some breathing room to model new formats and test out scenarios.
People are already talking about the revenue side of things, too. If a midseason WBC actually works, it might change how MLB thinks about international play and midseason engagement.
That could even open the door for a bigger midseason tournament—something that doesn’t fit the old baseball calendar. Will it really happen? Hard to say, but it’s not out of the question.
As MLB mulls it over, fans should keep an eye out for hints about how a midseason WBC would fit with the All-Star break and spring training. The next CBA talks and whatever comes out of the league’s broadcast deals will probably give us the clearest clues.
Here is the source article for this story: World Baseball Classic: Rob Manfred talks about possibility of moving tournament to midseason
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