MLB proposes 2028 start for salary cap and floor

Major League Baseball proposed beginning a salary cap and floor in the 2028 season, with a $258.2 million cap and a $180.2 million minimum payroll, as negotiations with the players’ union continue ahead of the current labor agreement’s expiration in December. The league announced the revised timeline on November 3, saying clubs need a full offseason to prepare for the system. The proposal would delay the cap and floor until 2028 while retaining other elements of MLB’s labor offer for 2027. The figures are higher than the league’s earlier proposed thresholds of $245.3 million and $171.2 million. The proposal remains a league offer, not an agreed labor term. The MLB Players Association opposes a salary cap. Interim executive director Bruce Meyer said the union believes caps harm players and do not ensure lower ticket prices or better-run teams. Whether the parties will reach an agreement that includes a cap remains unresolved. MLB estimates the proposed thresholds would require 12 clubs to add a combined $636 million in payroll to reach the floor, while eight clubs would need to cut a combined $528 million to meet the cap. The league projected a net payroll increase of $108...