2026 MLB Thread

[Uncle Rico]

From The Athletics' Ken Rosenthal:

The league wants both a hard cap and floor, insisting in a statement that "fans in too many markets have too little hope their team has a fair chance to win." That's what this is all about, the league keeps telling us. Bowing to the wishes of fans who "overwhelmingly" support a cap, out of the goodness of the owners' hearts.

Please.

I'm sure fans want lower ticket prices and lower beer prices, too, but the owners aren't about to introduce those, are they? No, the owners act only when it's in their financial interests.

A cap that fixes costs and enhances franchise values is most definitely in the owners' interests. Missing games, the possible cost of all this, is not. How about asking fans if they want that?

I was going to make a crack about sports leagues doing stuff to enhance the fan experience but baseball might be the one league that has done that recently but the point stands.  They're definitely NOT lowering prices but wages are definitely negotiable.

[WhiteTrash]

From The Athletics' Ken Rosenthal:

The league wants both a hard cap and floor, insisting in a statement that "fans in too many markets have too little hope their team has a fair chance to win." That's what this is all about, the league keeps telling us. Bowing to the wishes of fans who "overwhelmingly" support a cap, out of the goodness of the owners' hearts.

Please.

I'm sure fans want lower ticket prices and lower beer prices, too, but the owners aren't about to introduce those, are they? No, the owners act only when it's in their financial interests.

A cap that fixes costs and enhances franchise values is most definitely in the owners' interests. Missing games, the possible cost of all this, is not. How about asking fans if they want that?

News flash, that's how business works and has forever. Both sides are advancing they're own best interests. Companies/unions, vendors/customers, etc.

"fans in too many markets have too little hope their team has a fair chance to win." The owners are trying to give the fans more reasons to buy tickets and watch games ........ so they can make more money (which incidentally guarantees the players make more money under the floor/cap system).

The union has and will continue to negotiate hard in these deals as they should. I just hope we don't end up with a work stoppage, but just because I think the owners are acting  in good faith doesn't mean the union will be responsible for a stoppage. There are always devils in the details that the union (or even the owners) must fight.

edit- Just because the owners' offer is a good offer, it may not be the best offer.

[The Sultan]

The owners are trying to give the fans more reasons to buy tickets and watch games ........

A bunch of them clearly have no interest in doing that.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

From The Athletics' Ken Rosenthal:

The league wants both a hard cap and floor, insisting in a statement that "fans in too many markets have too little hope their team has a fair chance to win." That's what this is all about, the league keeps telling us. Bowing to the wishes of fans who "overwhelmingly" support a cap, out of the goodness of the owners' hearts.

Please.

I'm sure fans want lower ticket prices and lower beer prices, too, but the owners aren't about to introduce those, are they? No, the owners act only when it's in their financial interests.

A cap that fixes costs and enhances franchise values is most definitely in the owners' interests. Missing games, the possible cost of all this, is not. How about asking fans if they want that?

I don't believe for a second that the owners are doing this altruistically. But I also don't really care what their motivations are. I think the right salary cap and floor will make the game better and can be done in a way that is still fair for the players. That's all that matters to me.

I'm also willing to go through a lockout if the end result is a well thought out salary cap/floor. I think there are probably more fans like me than Mr. Rosenthal would like to admit.

[WhiteTrash]

A bunch of them clearly have no interest in doing that.

I'm sure. I'd be shocked if J.R. voted for the offer. But in the context of this issue, enough of them have voted for the offer put in front of the players, and that is all that matters.

[Uncle Rico]

A bunch of them clearly have no interest in doing that.

You telling me Pirates ownership doesn't care about the fan?

[Jockey]

The problem is that fans think they know what is best for the game. But this is NOT about that. It is about investors.

There's this from The Athletic:

Franchise values — as measured in billions of dollars — might soon determine whether Major League Baseball has a season in 2027.

Over today and tomorrow, players and owners are expected to make their opening economic proposals in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The owners are going to push for a salary cap and floor, a system players don't want, and the ensuing labor fight could eventually lead to canceled games.

Why, at a time when MLB has otherwise built positive momentum, would the league pursue such an acrimonious change, and risk alienating fans with a work stoppage? Many issues are at play, but none supersede the long game owners are playing. Their mission is to maximize the worth of their teams.

Baseball has always been a business, yes — but not like this. Private equity has flowed into the sport for the better part of a decade, and someday, those investors will want a return. And even though every team continues to grow in value, many owners believe that their clubs should command still-higher prices.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Again,  I don't care what the owners motivations are.  I'm well aware they are trying to maximize their own wealth.

The only question that matters to me (and  I think for many fans) is "will a well thought out salary cap and floor be good for the game?" I think the answer is yes.

I love hearing contrary opinions and arguments about why the answer is no. That might sway me. Repeatedly bringing up that the owners are trying to make more money? That's just noise.

[WhiteTrash]

The problem is that fans think they know what is best for the game. But this is NOT about that. It is about investors.

There's this from The Athletic:

Franchise values — as measured in billions of dollars — might soon determine whether Major League Baseball has a season in 2027.

Over today and tomorrow, players and owners are expected to make their opening economic proposals in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The owners are going to push for a salary cap and floor, a system players don't want, and the ensuing labor fight could eventually lead to canceled games.

Why, at a time when MLB has otherwise built positive momentum, would the league pursue such an acrimonious change, and risk alienating fans with a work stoppage? Many issues are at play, but none supersede the long game owners are playing. Their mission is to maximize the worth of their teams.

Baseball has always been a business, yes — but not like this. Private equity has flowed into the sport for the better part of a decade, and someday, those investors will want a return. And even though every team continues to grow in value, many owners believe that their clubs should command still-higher prices.

I've seen private equity be more reasonable and patient than public equity. Ownership of closely held businesses run the spectrum of return expectations. Again, just my experience.

[TallTitan34]

I think there are probably more fans like me than Mr. Rosenthal would like to admit.

[The Sultan]

Again,  I don't care what the owners motivations are.  I'm well aware they are trying to maximize their own wealth.

The only question that matters to me (and  I think for many fans) is "will a well thought out salary cap and floor be good for the game?" I think the answer is yes.

I love hearing contrary opinions and arguments about why the answer is no. That might sway me. Repeatedly bringing up that the owners are trying to make more money? That's just noise.

I think a more equitable share of revenue between the owners would help as much...if not more. I think the basic problem is that MLB can't fix their revenue problem, so it is asking the players do it for them.

[MU82]

Again,  I don't care what the owners motivations are.  I'm well aware they are trying to maximize their own wealth.

The only question that matters to me (and  I think for many fans) is "will a well thought out salary cap and floor be good for the game?" I think the answer is yes.

I love hearing contrary opinions and arguments about why the answer is no. That might sway me. Repeatedly bringing up that the owners are trying to make more money? That's just noise.

I get what you're saying in both of your posts, but it's not about swaying you or anyone else.

The players simply aren't gonna accept a salary cap IMHO. They will let ballparks go dark for multiple seasons rather than accept a salary cap. The owners will cave first.

[Jockey]

I think a more equitable share of revenue between the owners would help as much...if not more. I think the basic problem is that MLB can't fix their revenue problem, so it is asking the players do it for them.

Agree with you, but all the owners' baseball income is not considered revenue to be shared with the players.

[The Sultan]

Agree with you, but all the owners' baseball income is not considered revenue to be shared with the players.

How are players paid?

[Jockey]

How are players paid?

According to their contracts.

[The Sultan]

According to their contracts.

With what money?

[Jockey]

With what money?

There are 7 income streams that comprise the revenue that is used to pay players.

From local TV revenue and national TV revenue all the way down to concessions & parking and post season revenue.

Do you also want a list of banks where player's salaries are deposited?

[wadesworld]

A one game suspension for a reliever doesn't matter, but it is funny that MVPete yelled "you can suck my effing d!ck?l, biotch!" at a female fan and didn't get suspended while Uribe gets suspended for doing the crotch chop at the Cardinals bench.

[Shaka Shart]

A one game suspension for a reliever doesn't matter, but it is funny that MVPete yelled "you can suck my effing d!ck?l, biotch!" at a female fan and didn't get suspended while Uribe gets suspended for doing the crotch chop at the Cardinals bench.

They should write a quirky article in the players tribune next time

[Uncle Rico]

A one game suspension for a reliever doesn't matter, but it is funny that MVPete yelled "you can suck my effing d!ck?l, biotch!" at a female fan and didn't get suspended while Uribe gets suspended for doing the crotch chop at the Cardinals bench.

MLB hurt the Cubs by not suspending PCA, tbf

[Dish]

I don't know what the rest of this season holds, but what a White Sox season so far.

[MurphysTillClose]

Southside. Shoutout to 18thandwells. Hope he's doing okay.

[tower912]

I thought it would happen in the 9th.  Detroit has spent the last month not hitting and then having previously effective relief pitchers give up leads late.   SSDD.

[GB Warrior]

MLB hurt the Cubs by not suspending PCA, tbf

Manfred made Craig promote him to lead off

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I get what you're saying in both of your posts, but it's not about swaying you or anyone else.

The players simply aren't gonna accept a salary cap IMHO. They will let ballparks go dark for multiple seasons rather than accept a salary cap. The owners will cave first.

If it's not about swaying people, stays the point of bringing it up constantly during every conversation about the merits of a salary cap? (Not saying you are but the owners doing this for money seems to be the central pillar of every anti salary cap article Ive seen)

As for your second paragraph, that's a real meaningful argument against the idea. I'm not sure I agree though.  Guess we will see.