Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association remain far apart in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as the current deal expires on December 1, 2026. The central dispute centers on the owners' push for a salary cap, which the union calls a non-starter and "institutionalized collusion." MLB's latest proposal, made November 3, would phase in a cap-and-floor system starting in 2028, with a $258.3 million cap and $180.2 million floor for that year, allowing teams a full offseason to adjust. The 2027 season would operate under the existing competitive balance tax and revenue-sharing system.
Other league proposals are contingent on union acceptance of a cap. On October 8, MLB suggested reducing the regular season from 162 to 154 games, adding a weekly off day, expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven, and letting higher seeds pick opponents in early playoff rounds. In August, the league proposed roster-rule changes including weekly roster sets, a 14-pitcher maximum, shorter injured-list stays, and two offseason "quiet periods" limiting free-agent signings. The union countered in July with draft reforms preserving high-school eligibility, keeping a 20-round draft, increasing bonus pools, and moving the draft back to June.
An ESPN poll of players in September showed 16 respondents firmly opposed to a cap and five open to discussion. Union interim head Bruce Meyer called the cap "a form of institutionalized collusion" and estimated players would lose over half a billion dollars in 2026 under the league's plan. Commissioner Rob Manfred said owners are "more united than any group in my entire time of baseball" and argued the luxury tax has failed to address competitive balance. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed a cap in June, stating, "If you don't have a salary cap, you don't have a sport."
MLB's initial May 28 proposal included a 50-50 revenue split, centralization and equal sharing of all local revenues, and an escrow system similar to the NBA and NHL. The union's opening offer sought a higher luxury-tax threshold ($300 million), a $1.5 million minimum salary, earlier free agency for players 30 and older, and penalties for teams that don't spend revenue-sharing money on payroll. Both sides hope to reach a deal by mid-March 2027 to avoid delaying or shortening the 2027 season.
