MLB owners offer up salary cap twist in latest CBA proposal

November 3, 2026

Major League Baseball has introduced a revised collective bargaining agreement proposal that pushes the implementation of a salary floor and a $258.2 million cap to the 2028 season. This adjustment aims to facilitate a smoother transition while maintaining player benefits, though the players' association remains strongly opposed to the concept of a cap as the December 1 expiration date approaches.

If adopted, the plan would require eight high-spending franchises to reduce their payrolls while compelling 12 lower-spending teams to increase their collective spending by $636 million to meet the $180.2 million floor.

Beyond the cap structure, the league is offering several concessions to the players' association, including the removal of the qualifying offer system and a path to free agency for players aged 30 or older after five years of service. The proposal also includes a significant boost to the league minimum salary, raising it from $780,000 to $1.5 million, alongside an expansion of the pre-arbitration bonus pool to $180 million.