Overview

• Manfred and a coalition of owners advanced hard salary cap discussions at the All-Star break, citing competitive balance and declining media income.
• Tony Clark described any cap as institutional collusion and reaffirmed union plans to offer alternative economic reforms.
• Players including Pete Alonso predicted a lockout after the CBA expires on December 1, 2026, risking lost games in the 2027 season.
• Payroll gaps are deep, with the Mets spending $326 million compared to the Marlins’ $69 million and the Dodgers facing a record $151 million luxury tax penalty.
• Historic contracts such as Juan Soto’s $765 million deal and Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million pact highlight massive player market leverage.