Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association remain far apart in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the December 1, 2026 expiration of the current deal. The league's latest proposal, announced November 3, would delay implementation of a salary cap and floor system until 2028 to allow a "smoother transition," with the cap set at $258.3 million and floor at $180.2 million.
Earlier, on October 8, MLB proposed reducing the regular season from 162 to 154 games, adding a weekly off day, expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven, and allowing higher seeds to choose opponents. All proposals are contingent on the union accepting a salary cap.
A September poll of players by ESPN showed strong opposition to a cap, with 16 respondents firmly against and five open to discussion. The union has called a salary cap "institutionalized collusion" and estimates players would lose over half a billion dollars under the league's plan.
Other proposals include changes to roster rules, free agency, the draft, and an international draft. The league also seeks a 50-50 revenue split and centralization of local revenues. Commissioner Rob Manfred says owners are united behind the cap push, while interim union head Bruce Meyer criticizes the league for undermining the game's popularity.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed a salary cap in June. The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, 2026, with a lockout expected if no agreement is reached.
