Overview
- The Athletic reported owners are “raging” over the Dodgers’ four-year, $240 million pact with Kyle Tucker and intend to pursue a hard cap.
- Determining a salary ceiling and a floor is expected to appear on the agenda at next month’s owners meetings, according to multiple reports.
- The Dodgers’ projected 2026 payroll is above $400 million, with several small-market clubs near $100–120 million, underscoring widening gaps.
- MLBPA executive director Tony Clark has reiterated the union’s rejection of a cap, as some analysts float a 50/50 revenue split with a roughly 90% floor as a potential framework.
- Critics point to 2026 luxury tax thresholds of $244–$304 million and note that 11 teams already exceed at least one tier, arguing the tax has not curbed disparities.