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MLB News: Owners ‘United’ on Salary Cap Despite Union Opposition
The work stoppage looming over the baseball world doesn’t seem to be dissipating anytime soon.
Speaking before Tuesday’s All-Star Game, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was asked about the MLB Players Association’s explicit refusal to accept a salary cap.
Despite that staunch opposition, Manfred said team owners are undeterred.
“I have an ownership group that is more united than any group in my entire time in baseball,” he said, as reported by Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
Manfred supports salary cap despite union opposition
As detailed by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Manfred made the case that the union has previously opposed changes that many believe drastically improved the sport, including the pitch clock and ABS.
“We got that momentum by listening to our fans and making changes that you know candidly, the MLBPA was not interested in,’’ Manfred said. “Those changes have paid off in terms of creating that momentum, and the best way to lose momentum is to stand still. We’re doing exactly the same thing that we did with the rule changes, we’re listening to our fans.”
MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer, however, believes owners want a salary cap not for competitive reasons, but instead to increase their profits and limit their costs.
“The owners, many of them, want a system that not only guarantees their profits, not only increases their franchise values,’’ Meyer said, “but essentially is a former of subsidized mediocrity, owner protection, protection from competition.
“Salary cap is the ultimate excuse not to compete. It’s the ultimate excuse for an owner to say, “Gee, I would like to make the team better, but you know I can’t.’
“Salary caps are bad for fans. Salary caps present teams from doing the things that they believe are in their interest to make the team better.’’
Is there a chance to avoid a work stoppage?
The union and the league continue making their cases, but neither seems willing to budge on the salary cap, meaning a potential lockout ahead of the 2027 season is more and more likely.
Can a deal be reached? Of course, anything is possible, but it seems this will be the defining battle of the offseason.
If neither side wants to compromise, enjoy the rest of this season, because it could be a while before MLB returns.
