MLB Suggests Salary Cap Wait Until 2028

Collective bargaining between Major League Baseball and the players' union expires on December 1, creating a tight timeline for finalizing the next labor contract.

League officials proposed delaying the start of a salary cap until the 2028 season while implementing other terms of the 2027 offer. This move follows the opening of free agency on Monday and the potential for a lockout when the current agreement ends.

The league presented a 2028 cap of $258.2 million and a floor of $180.2 million to the union in a meeting on Tuesday. These figures exceed the previous targets of $245.3 million and $171.2 million, respectively, and reflect a proposed 50/50 revenue split.

Under the new plan, competitive balance tax thresholds for the 2027 season would remain unchanged. The league stated that starting the cap in 2028 allows for a smoother transition without delaying key player benefits.

Union officials estimate that players would lose more than $1 billion in compensation if they agreed to the cap. The MLB Players Association has consistently objected to the cap, and the wide gap in financial projections suggests a prolonged work stoppage is likely if a deal is not reached before the deadline.