MLB proposes 2028 start for salary cap
The league raised its cap proposal to $258.3 million and wants to delay implementation by a year.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Major League Baseball has proposed delaying the start of a salary cap and floor system by one year.
The league announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, that it wants the new financial structure to begin in 2028 rather than 2027. This move is intended to give teams a full offseason to adjust their payrolls. The current competitive balance tax and revenue sharing rules would remain in place for the 2027 season.
MLB spokesman Glen Caplin stated that clubs need time to prepare for operating within the new limits. He said the league recognizes that a full offseason is necessary for this transition. Caplin noted that the current offseason is already underway, making a 2028 start a logical step for a smoother entry into the cap and floor system.
Along with the timeline shift, the league increased the proposed financial figures. The new salary cap is set at $258.3 million. The salary floor is set at $180.2 million. These numbers are higher than the proposal from June, which suggested a $245.3 million cap and a $171.2 million floor. The league said it is open to discussing further phase-in scenarios for the system.
The salary cap has been the central point of contention in these negotiations. The Players Association has viewed the cap as a non-starter. Owners argue that being the only major North American sport without a salary cap is harming franchise values. They see the cap as a way to ensure competitive balance and financial stability for the teams.
Player sentiment remains largely opposed to the cap, though not unanimously. A poll conducted by ESPN in October showed strong resistance among current players. Many cited the 1994 strike and the 2022 lockout as reasons to hold firm. However, some players expressed openness if the right criteria were met. The union leadership is looking for any division between lower-salaried players and high-earning veterans to potentially shift the vote, but the opposition is strong.
The league has tied most of its proposed rule changes to the acceptance of the salary cap. In August, MLB proposed changes to roster rules, including weekly rosters set on Mondays and an increase in the number of pitchers allowed on the active roster to 14. The league also proposed reducing the length of injured list stints. Bruce Meyer, the interim head of the MLBPA, criticized some of these ideas, specifically an artificial free agency window that he said would reduce player leverage.
In July, the union proposed its own changes to the draft. These included preserving the 20-round format and moving the draft back to June. The players also wanted to increase signing bonus pools for lower-revenue teams. The league has consistently conditioned its proposals on the players accepting the salary cap and floor system.
The next major deadline for the negotiations is the middle of March 2027. If an agreement is not reached by then, the risk of a delayed or abbreviated 2027 season increases. A lockout that lasts into late May and costs at least 60 games would trigger extensions on national broadcast contracts. This would push back the revenue windfall owners expect from new media rights deals.
The two sides continue to trade public statements and formal proposals. The process is expected to involve further posturing and pointed comments from both the league and the union. The goal for both parties is to reach a deal that allows for a full 2027 season.
Source: CBS Sports
