Baseball proposes delaying salary cap until 2028 in labour talks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 19:50 · Archive

Major League Baseball has proposed implementing a salary cap in 2028 rather than sooner, citing teams' existing financial commitments for next season. A day after free agent negotiations began for the 2026–27 offseason, owners on Tuesday proposed a hard cap of $258.2 million and a mandatory floor of $180.2 million, using luxury tax payrolls with average annual values.

MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said the delay would allow clubs 'a full offseason to prepare to operate within the cap and floor system' whilst providing 'a smoother transition' without delaying key player benefits. These include earlier free agency, a $1 million minimum salary, a 30 per cent increase to the pre-arbitration bonus pool and transactional reform to reduce roster churn. MLB also proposed a one-time bonus payment to players using money from luxury tax proceeds currently earmarked for players' 401(k) accounts.

Baseball's five-year labour contract expires on 1 December, and management is expected to lock out the union. The players' association has said it will never accept a salary cap. MLB has not proposed a salary cap since negotiations that led to a strike in 1994.

How it is being reported

• Major League Baseball proposes delaying salary cap implementation to 2028 in talks with playersMajor League Baseball has proposed delaying the start of a salary cap until 2028.Clickorlando · 3 Nov, 19:10
• Major League Baseball proposes delaying salary cap implementation to 2028 in talks with playersMajor League Baseball has proposed delaying the start of a salary cap until 2028.News4Jax · 3 Nov, 19:10

In this story: Major League Baseball · Players' Association · New York Mets · Milwaukee Brewers · Tampa Bay Rays

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