What the New CBA Agreement Could Bring To Baseball
There is a lot of debate about whether or not a salary cap should be introduced to baseball, but (believe it or not) that is only one of the many things that could happen in this upcoming CBA fight. Even though the next CBA is a long way away, I’m giving you a head start, so that by the time that CBA roles around, you’ll be ready. Let’s jump into it.
What is the CBA?
The MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the contract between team owners and the players’ union that sets all the business rules of baseball, and that is negotiated about every 5 years.
When does the CBA expire?
The MLB CBA expires December 1st, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
The 5 Things That Could Happen In the New MLB CBA:
1) A Salary Cap (and maybe a salary floor)
MLB might add a salary cap because MLB thinks that it will help make the league more fair, so rich teams can’t outspend the others (but it won’t). MLB thinks it would also help keep player salaries from getting too high. MLB thinks a salary floor encourages (and maybe makes) lower budget teams to spend.
2) Banning Salary Deferrals (or putting a cap on it)
MLB might ban or cap salary deferrals because MLB thinks that teams use them to dodge luxury taxes, making it unfair. MLB thinks it will also protect players from not getting paid years down the road if a team runs into money problems.
3) An International Draft
MLB might create an international draft because MLB thinks it would make the signing process more fair, so rich teams/teams with the most Japanese players (or players from other countries) don’t always grab the best young players first. MLB thinks it would also help spread talent more evenly across all clubs.
4) Free-Agent Signing Deadline
MLB might set a free agent signing deadline because MLB thinks it will speed up the offseason and keep teams from waiting too long to build their rosters. MLB thinks it would also create more excitement for fans with all the big moves happening in a set window.
5) Playoff Expansion
MLB might expand the playoffs because MLB thinks it will let more teams compete for a title and keep fans in more cities interested longer into the season. MLB thinks (and they are not wrong) that it also means more games on TV, which brings in extra money.
Be ready for a lockout, and thanks for reading!
