Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association continue negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ahead of the current deal's expiration on December 1, 2026. The talks, which formally began on May 12, 2026, have produced a series of proposals and counterproposals covering a salary cap, revenue sharing, free agency, draft rules, and season structure.
Key Developments
November 3, 2026: MLB proposed a phase-in period for a salary cap and floor, delaying implementation until 2028 to allow a "smoother transition." The league raised its proposed cap to $258.3 million and floor to $180.2 million, up from $245.3 million and $171.2 million in June. The current competitive balance tax and revenue-sharing system would remain for 2027.
October 8, 2026: MLB proposed reducing the regular season from 162 to 154 games, adding a weekly off day, extending the Division Series to best-of-seven, and allowing higher seeds to choose opponents in early playoff rounds. These changes are contingent on the union accepting a salary cap/floor system.
September 28, 2026: Reports indicate that if a 2027 lockout cancels 60 or more games, national broadcast contracts would extend through 2029, delaying a planned centralization of streaming rights and revenue sharing.
September 2, 2026: An ESPN poll of current players showed strong opposition to a salary cap, with 16 respondents firmly against and five open to discussion. The union views a cap as a non-starter.
August 27, 2026: MLB proposed roster rule changes including weekly roster sets, a 14-pitcher maximum, shorter injured lists, fewer optional assignments, and two offseason "quiet periods" limiting free-agent signings. All are tied to cap acceptance.
July 21, 2026: The MLBPA countered with draft proposals preserving high school and junior college eligibility, keeping a 20-round format, increasing bonus pools, and moving the draft back to June.
July 14, 2026: Commissioner Rob Manfred and interim union head Bruce Meyer held dueling press conferences at the All-Star Game. Manfred cited owner unity on a cap; Meyer criticized the league's narrative on competitive balance.
July 1, 2026: The union proposed expanding active rosters to 28 for the first 15 days, earlier 60-day IL placement, fewer optional assignments, and guaranteed Rule 5 drafts.
June 25, 2026: MLB proposed limiting free-agent contracts to five years (six for "Cornerstone Players" staying with their team), raising minimum salaries to $1 million (two-plus years service) and $900,000 (less than two years), eliminating deferred contracts, and accepting union proposals for earlier free agency at age 30 and removing the qualifying offer system. All are contingent on a cap.
June 18, 2026: MLB proposed sweeping draft changes: reducing rounds from 20 to 12, a $200 million hard bonus cap, eliminating high school players from the domestic draft, and creating an international draft with a similar bonus cap. The MLBPA called the proposals "flat out bad for baseball."
June 5, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed a salary cap, stating "if you don't have a salary cap, you don't have a sport."
June 3, 2026: Manfred acknowledged the luxury tax system had failed to address competitive balance, justifying the push for a cap.
June 1, 2026: Meyer labeled a salary cap "institutionalized collusion" and estimated players would lose over half a billion dollars in 2026 under MLB's proposal. The league responded that its plan shares revenue 50-50 and increases player compensation in year one.
May 28, 2026: MLB's first formal proposal included a $245.3 million cap, $171.2 million floor, 50-50 revenue split, centralization of local revenues, and an escrow system. Nine teams would be above the cap, 12 below the floor.
May 27, 2026: The MLBPA's opening proposals featured a "competitive integrity tax" on low-spending teams, a $1.5 million minimum salary, a $300 million luxury tax threshold, increased revenue sharing with protections for small-market clubs, and earlier free agency for players 30 and older.
May 12, 2026: Formal negotiations began, with key issues including a salary cap, revenue sharing, expansion, playoff expansion, and an international draft.
The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, 2026, at which point a lockout is expected if no agreement is reached. Both sides aim to finalize a deal before mid-March 2027 to avoid delaying the 2027 season.
