Fan support for salary cap implementation in MLB has been extremely vocal this offseason after the Los Angeles Dodgers added Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker to an already stacked roster coming off back-to-back World Series championships.
This has been to the benefit of owners in MLB who have long desired the ability to suppress players’ salaries. The recent shift in opinion about the salary cap has increased speculation that MLB could be heading toward a potential work stoppage after the 2026 season.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman believes it is ridiculous to portray the organization’s recent moves, like Kyle Tucker’s contract, as the tipping point for a lockout and MLB salary cap.
Max Muncy expressed a similar sentiment during an appearance on “Foul Territory:”
“We just try to worry about ourselves, and the fallout happens after that. It’s just, the work stoppage thing; we don’t know if that’s going to happen. Look, we aren’t adding any more fuel to that fire. If that happens, it was always going to happen, and it’s not going to happen just because of us.”
It is no secret that the topic of a salary cap has been a divisive issue between the MLB Players Association and ownership for quite a while.
Muncy is pointing out that if a salary cap becomes a sticking point in negotiations, owners will use the recent fan outcry for change as a pretext for their demands, even though it is the outcome some have wanted all along.
However, some owners will be against a salary cap because it would also bring a salary floor. That will force some clubs to significantly increase their payrolls by at least $100 million.
TV deals are also a major factor in negotiations, and that is expected to be more important to owners than a potential salary cap.
MLB Commissioner wants to address competitiveness & blackouts in next CBA
The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire on Dec. 1 and representatives from MLB and the MLBPA are expected to begin formal negotiations this spring.
Beyond the salary cap, another key issue expected to be discussed is regional blackouts, which require fans to pay for a regional sports network to watch their local team’s games live.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted competitive balance and blackouts as two areas he wants to address in the next round of CBA talks.
No matter what happens in the upcoming CBA talks, Manfred said it is his top priority to ensure the league doesn’t lose any games in 2027 if a work stoppage occurs.
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