The Major League Baseball Players Association may be the most powerful union in the world.
For this old scout, there is a major change Major League Baseball could make that would greatly enhance fan interest, as well as improve the integrity of the game.
It is doubtful the Players Association would approve any “drastic” ideas when the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is negotiated.
The current agreement between MLB and the players expires December 1, 2026.
The problem to be fixed? Team payroll inequity. A lack of payroll balance in MLB.
MLB needs to create a salary cap and a salary floor.
The existing environment of MLB is increasingly skewed to two completely different types of franchises. Those that have. Those that don’t. Those that spend. Those that don’t.
The fracture of MLB is getting worse every offseason, as the rich get richer and the mediocre get more mediocre.
There is not a baseball owner incapable of creating a player payroll of $120 million. Not one. However, some owners are willing to spend, and others are willing to keep a steady ship of solid revenue streams and a player payroll that doesn’t impact the owner’s personal wealth.
A hefty payroll does not guarantee a World Series Championship. Or even a playoff spot. However, a hefty payroll may offer the team’s loyal fans an opportunity to see a star or stars of the game playing on his/her favorite team. Playing in his/her favorite team’s uniform.
Every team deserves star players. Players that spend the vast majority of their career playing for the same team.
Stars matter.
Yes, teams all have promising players. Stars, if you will. But often, those young stars are traded away when they get near their free agent walk year.
The Rays, the Guardians, the Pirates, the Athletics, and other teams are more likely to trade a player who gets expensive. Just when they are about to reach true stardom.
To this old scout, that’s just flat out wrong. And unfair. To the player and the fans.
A floor of $120 million may help retain promising players or attract players on the rise.
A ceiling, or cap of $230 million may be enough to provide a more competitive MLB.
Consider these projected 2024 MLB payrolls as noted by Fangraphs:
Oakland Athletics-$61 million
Pittsburgh Pirates-$85 million
Tampa Bay Rays-$97 million
Baltimore Orioles-$98 million
Cleveland Guardians-$98 million
Cincinnati Reds-$104 million
Detroit Tigers-$110 million
Milwaukee Brewers-$110 million
Chicago Cubs-$224 million
Toronto Blue Jays-$226 million
Atlanta Braves-$231 million
Philadelphia Phillies-$246 million
New York Yankees-$297 million
New York Mets-$324 million
Los Angeles Dodger$-$304 million
As you can see, the differences between and among the clubs is staggering.
Even the quickest of glances provides all the information required. There are teams that aren’t even spending $100 million on player payroll. And there are teams spending more than $300 million.
And the stars gravitate to places that pay them.
There is no doubt in my mind that fans will be totally turned off by the wild spending of the Dodger$ this past offseason.
Like him or not, is Shohei Ohtani worth $700 million for ten years? You tell me. And he isn’t the problem.
The problem is owners willing to pay ridiculous salaries. Either too high, or far too low.
Isn’t there a level of player payroll in between? A level that can reach a comfort area for owners, players, and fans?
There is. That’s where a salary floor-a minimum team payroll, and a salary cap, or maximum team payroll makes sense.
We’ll never know unless the Players Association lets it happen.
They won’t.
MLB is the only professional sports league based in the United States or Canada without a salary cap.
And the Players Association will not approved a cap and floor in the next collective bargaining discussions. It’s a non-starter.
Things that are broken should be fixed.
The MLB team payroll structure as it currently exists is broken.
It has to be fixed.
