Statement from Major League Baseball Players Association

Coming off another incredible season of baseball, MLB owners continue to propose blowing up the current system and replacing it with one designed to line their pockets and increase their franchise values. 

Despite MLB’s proposal to delay implementation to 2028, at its core, the negative impacts of the owners’ salary cap remain the same:

• Massive reduction in player compensation

• Elimination of fundamental player rights, including guaranteed contracts

• Gutting of domestic and international amateur entry systems

• Replacement of market-based fundamentals with a zero-sum system that harms the middle class and pits player against player

Even with a so-called “transition year” in 2027, the owners’ latest offer would result in:

• Immediate restrictions to player contract rights

• Stagnant luxury tax thresholds

• A $400M reduction in amateur signing bonuses 

• Stripping current competitive advantages for smaller market teams 

• Rejection of dozens of player proposals on issues from minimum salaries to revenue sharing to rosters and transactions, and many more

Players stand ready to negotiate in good faith toward a new CBA that will capitalize on our sport’s unprecedented momentum and benefit players, clubs, and fans alike.