MLB Considers Midseason World Baseball Classic

Commissioner Rob Manfred says league has discussed moving tournament to middle of season

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:48pm

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that the league has discussed the possibility of moving the World Baseball Classic to the middle of the regular season, rather than its current March timing. Manfred cited the high viewership of this year's semifinals as evidence that a midseason tournament could be successful, though he acknowledged the need to work around the league's existing broadcast commitments.

Why it matters

Shifting the World Baseball Classic to the middle of the MLB season could boost interest and viewership for the tournament, which has struggled at times to attract top talent due to its placement during spring training. However, the logistics of having pitchers take time off from their regular-season workloads would need to be carefully considered.

The details

Manfred told the Associated Press that the league has discussed the idea of a midseason tournament in the past, and that the World Baseball Classic would be the 'ideal opportunity' to test out that concept. He noted that the current broadcast deal with Fox for the MLB All-Star Game runs through 2028, which could complicate any immediate changes. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa believes more MLB pitchers would be willing to participate if the tournament was held in the middle of the season, when they are already fully stretched out.

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic final saw Team USA manager Mark DeRosa unable to use closer Mason Miller due to pitch count restrictions.
  • MLB's current broadcast deal with Fox for the All-Star Game runs through the 2028 season.

The players

Rob Manfred

The commissioner of Major League Baseball, who has discussed the possibility of moving the World Baseball Classic to the middle of the regular season.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the United States national baseball team, who believes more MLB pitchers would be willing to participate in the World Baseball Classic if it was held in the middle of the season.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously we have commitments to Fox in terms of the All-Star Game in the middle of the season through '28. As the game continues to evolve, we have talked about midseason tournaments in general. And certainly if we decided to get serious about this, about a midseason tournament, this would be an ideal opportunity.”

— Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner

“If [the World Baseball Classic] was moved to the middle of the season, I don't think you would have any nos for competing in it.”

— Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager

What’s next

The league will need to work around its existing broadcast commitments with Fox for the MLB All-Star Game, which runs through the 2028 season, before any potential changes to the World Baseball Classic schedule could be implemented.

The takeaway

Shifting the World Baseball Classic to the middle of the MLB season could boost interest and viewership for the tournament, but the league will need to carefully consider the logistics of having pitchers take time off from their regular-season workloads.