STLtoday.com

This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:02 pm

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:58 pm

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:55 pm

alw80 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:09 am

cardstatman wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026 22:52 pm I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

Revenue sharing just puts more money in owners pockets.

a floor ensures they spend it.

Whether it is wisely or not…

Great plan..

You can't overcome stupidity or ineptitude, but you can prevent teams from just pocketing millions and claiming being poor.

I want to see teams have a much better chance of retaining the stars they draft and develop instead of those players getting 5 years with a team and then it's off to one of the big 7 because they are the only ones who can afford the contract demands.

I want to see the Clevelands and Pittsburgh have a shot of getting a top free agent because the top spending teams are already capped out and can't even throw their hats in the ring, or have to trade off significant pieces in order to be able to bid on them.

The sport will be a much better product when the all stars are spread out instead of concentrated on 5 teams.

Spending foolishly is never a good idea……

Do you spend at stores that are poorly managed so they have an opportunity to compete with well managed stores?

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

They don’t hate America…

They hate being a small market and irrelevant club…

Looking for a handout

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:28 pm

alw80 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:04 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 11:59 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 11:05 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:54 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:18 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:15 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:04 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 08:47 am Guardian owner Paul Dolan inherited the team from his father who bought them for $323M, currently worth over $1B.

His uncle, partial owner, is worth $5.4B and is the founder of Cablevision and HBO.

Sounds like our ownership, crying poor mouth when they're sitting on a family fortune.

(And I don't see any chance we get a salary cap or increased revenue sharing)

And fans continue to try to impose their thoughts on how owners should spend money.

The simple fact is that there aren't 30 Steve Cohens who want to own and operate MLB franchises seemingly independent of any concern regarding annual operating income, expenses, and revenue.

No, we fans continue to point out SUPER WEALTHY BILLIONARE owners who cry poormouth while wanting we fans to shoulder the financial burden and weep for them.

The simple fact is virtually every MLB owner or ownership group has the revenues from their teams to easily spend much more than they're willing to spend.

Given his revenues there's little argument BDWJr etal could easily afford a $180-200M payroll w/o touching a dime of their personal fortune.

It's the same for the majority of MLB team sans a very small handful.

Even the lowly Pirates reported a 2025 Operating Income (Profit before ITDA) of $47 million!

Yet this season we're getting a 26 man payroll under what K. Tucker will make this season w/the Dodgers.

You can keep repeating that, but none of it changes reality - there aren't 30 Steve Cohens who want to own and operate MLB franchises like you claim they could afford to.

We've seen it across almost all MLB teams for decades - owners will operate their teams to generally make at least some annual profit. That's not going to change.

If you are going to find a solution to improve the quality of the MLB product, you have to start from that reality.

Repeating nothing it's the first time I posted that, you're the one who keeps repeating the same stuff month after month after month.

And my "claim" is backed up by FACTS (re: the lowly Pirates I intentionally picked out to show how they could afford a higher payroll).

You're reality (salary cap/floor) has ZERO chance of happen, just as he hasn't happened since the days of Marvin Miller.

The MLBPA will never accept a salary cap, the lowly franchise owners will (likely) never accept a payroll floor.

But keep posting it if it makes you feel better.

Ultimately, as I think every other professional sport has shown, some salary cap/floor has to happen in MLB.

And the players, overall, can win even if the structure means that superstar players and their agents have to lose somewhat.

It should be the rank and file of the MLBPA, who can't afford to lose the money they would stand to make from multiple years of their short playing careers who should decide this in favor of a salary cap/floor system - with the owners guaranteeing that total player salaries increase by X% per year over the period of the CBA - which ends up benefitting them directly.

You can post that till you're blue in the face matt, people have been saying the same thing for decades.

One of the main things M. Miller installed in players was they should "NEVER, EVER" accept a salary cap.

This mantra has been passed down from veterans to rookies the day they join the union.

That resolve has NEVER been broken.

I'd like it to happen, so you you..............but it won't.

Best I can see is a cap on deferred money plus some smaller issues.

And while you mention players missing out on some earning potential let's not forget the billions (National TV, Tickets sales, local TV, concessions, parking, ect...) owners will be losing out on too.

Both sides have too much to lose, I've been of the opinion the "lockout" won't last too long....I hope I'm right.

The players shouldn't agree to a cap until the owners prove a need for one. They aren't willing to do that. I wonder why?

If, in addition to a salary cap and floor, the owners guarantee that total player salaries will increase by X% per year over the period of the CBA, why would the players need to know more than that?

Total player salaries were $5.28 billion in 2025 (per Cot's).

If we start from that number and the owners agree to guaranteed, let's say, a 4% increase per year for 5 years:

2027 - $5.49 billion ($260 million cap/$130 million floor)
2028 - $5.71 billion ($270 million cap/$135 million floor)
2029 - $5.94 billion ($280 million cap/$140 million floor)
2030 - $6.18 billion ($290 million cap/$145 million floor)
2031 - $6.42 billion ($300 million cap/$150 million floor)

Why would any more information be necessary?

Wouldn't even need to put in a guarantee.

The other leagues tie it strictly to league revenues. Define exactly what baseball revenue is, and tie it to that. Revenues go up, salary cap and floor go up, revenues take a hit and stay static or go down, then the cap and floor likely stay static for a few seasons to see if it a blip or if it needs to be adjusted down.

MLB opens it's books to the players union, not each individual team mind you, just the league as a whole and the teams have to submit their financials to the league.

What the players union needs to fight for is getting the players paid younger, and that MLB teams can't hide their revenues by opening a bunch of umbrella companies with distant cousins who then run the concessions and all the potential outside revenue. NHL teams were doing that for a while and they ended up getting busted with it.

If you tie their salary increases to performance of the league, just like with any job, the product will improve, the players will become more attentive in their home markets, put down roots and want to stay in a lot of cases, and teams will see the fans come back.

Lastly, and I harp on it quite a lot, the draft absolutely has to be fixed.

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:02 pm

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:58 pm

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:55 pm

alw80 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 10:09 am

cardstatman wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026 22:52 pm I don't understand how a salary cap fixes anything for Cleveland.

Their revenue remains the same and they say they can only spend $100M on payroll now.

The answer is more revenue sharing. If the revenue was more equal, then the salary cap would not be necessary.

A salary cap just forces the Yankees/Dodgers/Cubs owners to pocket a lot of money or invest huge dollars in something other than payroll. The Yankees and Cubs owners are already voluntarily doing just that.

Revenue sharing just puts more money in owners pockets.

a floor ensures they spend it.

Whether it is wisely or not…

Great plan..

You can't overcome stupidity or ineptitude, but you can prevent teams from just pocketing millions and claiming being poor.

I want to see teams have a much better chance of retaining the stars they draft and develop instead of those players getting 5 years with a team and then it's off to one of the big 7 because they are the only ones who can afford the contract demands.

I want to see the Clevelands and Pittsburgh have a shot of getting a top free agent because the top spending teams are already capped out and can't even throw their hats in the ring, or have to trade off significant pieces in order to be able to bid on them.

The sport will be a much better product when the all stars are spread out instead of concentrated on 5 teams.

Spending foolishly is never a good idea……

Do you spend at stores that are poorly managed so they have an opportunity to compete with well managed stores?

Have you remotely studied how the other leagues operate? You don't pay a bunch of middling veteran players 2x what they should be making to meet the floor. You invert your payroll and start paying your younger guys more earlier so that the odds of them overplaying their contracts is far greater than signing an aging veteran.

It works out quite well for them. It's quite idiotic to think there's going to be a bunch of So Taguchis out there making 30 million dollars a year because a team needs to make the cap floor.

Comparing retail to professional sports? C'mon

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:11 pm

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

They don’t hate America…

They hate being a small market and irrelevant club…

Looking for a handout

So you believe the way the league is headed is good for it?

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:54 pm

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 09:09 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 08:30 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 08:06 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 07:22 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 06:57 am Secondly if they are that strapped on the revenue side then it’s clear the Cleveland market can’t support a team. Sell or move the franchise.

There aren't 30 markets, or 30 owners in those markets, who can/will compete monetarily with the likes of the Dodgers, Yankees, etc. without imposed restraints.

True but that’s not my main point. If Cleveland can only afford a $95 million payroll that market can’t support never support a franchise. Time to face facts some of these markets cannot support teams. Either that are owners a not being honest. Understand this only applies to the bottom few teams.

Again I am for salary restraints but not for propping up losing markets.

Then what? Contract MLB down to 24, 20, etc. teams that can exist in large enough markets (if you eliminate Cleveland or Cincinnati, does all of Ohio consolidate around one team? if you eliminate one of Miami or Tampa Bay, does all of Florida consolidate around the other?) in order to support larger payrolls?

Is it good for the players to eliminate 1/6 or 1/3 of the MLB roster positions?

You move or sell them to better markets. You don’t have to reduce the number of teams. We are probably talking about 3-5 franchises. Simple to find better markets. I have no concerns about Ohio or Florida. You don’t just deserve a team.

what better markets? The vast majority of the top 30 markets have teams in them already. There aren't an additional 30 top tv markets to pick from.

Nashville, Charlotte both support nfl and other pro franchises. San Antonio has been mentioned. Montreal has been mentioned. I’m sure more out west.

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:15 pm

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:11 pm

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

They don’t hate America…

They hate being a small market and irrelevant club…

Looking for a handout

So you believe the way the league is headed is good for it?

It’s in no worse shape than it was 1900. Bunch of rich guys (bleep) about how much they have to pay their workers.

MLB needs a salary cap. Most owners own teams as a hobby. Most players don't play as a hobby. Who has more leverage?

The MLB is in good shape overall.
Revenues, viewership, attendance, payroll are all increasing annually. Which tells you the league is healthy and moving in a positive direction.

It doesn't fix the salary cap/floor question. It doesn't fix Cleveland's complaint. However, it is a more probable outcome for the CBA than a floor and cap. The reality is the owners nor the players are ever going to agree to a cap and floor, so minor adjustments are all you're going to see. Neither will want a work stoppage, too much money involved. Last season revenues were like $12 billion, and as stated previously, the players got over $5 billion of that.
In the end, it's a business, which means making money is all that matters. Even the owners of small market teams make a profit each season or they wouldn't do it.

Owners own teams to turn a profit. It may not be their primary source but they didn't get rich by having businesses the lose money.
Baseball is a business, and overall, a profitable one. Last year, revenues were like $12 billion. The players received over $5 billion of that. Even the small market teams made a profit last year or they wouldn't be in the industry.
Neither side wants a work stoppage that would interrupt that. Revenues, salaries, attendance and viewership are increasing year over year, so there is no urgency to change the formula.
There will be no cap or floor, neither side wants that. There will be minor changes for the new CBA, but no cap/floor.

MLB can't really be compared with NFL or NBA. In those league, the players drafted high typically play in the league right away. It wasn't until recently, there was a D league. 2 round draft for NBA vs 20 for MLB. Then players are in the minors for several years, if they make it at all. Completely different system than the other leagues. They don't make money until they reach the show, which is how it should be. So how pay sets up can't be compared. The NFL only guarantees a portion of their contracts, MLB, 100% guaranteed.

Didn’t Cleveland just sign Jose Ramirez to a big extension? Cleveland is in no danger of folding. If you can’t run with the big dogs, you best keep your (donkey) on the porch.

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

Hmmm, someone should tell that to the NFL then. They cap. And are successful doing it

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:27 pm

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:15 pm

45s wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:11 pm

Red7 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:08 pm This is America. In America, we don’t cap how much an individual can make. Why do all you cap supporters hate America?

They don’t hate America…

They hate being a small market and irrelevant club…

Looking for a handout

So you believe the way the league is headed is good for it?

It’s in no worse shape than it was 1900. Bunch of rich guys (bleep) about how much they have to pay their workers.

if you think this is the same, then I have no idea what to tell you.

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 16:17 pm

TheJackBurton wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:54 pm

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 09:09 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 08:30 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 08:06 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 07:22 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 06:57 am Secondly if they are that strapped on the revenue side then it’s clear the Cleveland market can’t support a team. Sell or move the franchise.

There aren't 30 markets, or 30 owners in those markets, who can/will compete monetarily with the likes of the Dodgers, Yankees, etc. without imposed restraints.

True but that’s not my main point. If Cleveland can only afford a $95 million payroll that market can’t support never support a franchise. Time to face facts some of these markets cannot support teams. Either that are owners a not being honest. Understand this only applies to the bottom few teams.

Again I am for salary restraints but not for propping up losing markets.

Then what? Contract MLB down to 24, 20, etc. teams that can exist in large enough markets (if you eliminate Cleveland or Cincinnati, does all of Ohio consolidate around one team? if you eliminate one of Miami or Tampa Bay, does all of Florida consolidate around the other?) in order to support larger payrolls?

Is it good for the players to eliminate 1/6 or 1/3 of the MLB roster positions?

You move or sell them to better markets. You don’t have to reduce the number of teams. We are probably talking about 3-5 franchises. Simple to find better markets. I have no concerns about Ohio or Florida. You don’t just deserve a team.

what better markets? The vast majority of the top 30 markets have teams in them already. There aren't an additional 30 top tv markets to pick from.

Nashville, Charlotte both support nfl and other pro franchises. San Antonio has been mentioned. Montreal has been mentioned. I’m sure more out west.

Charlotte? No Nashville has been rumored so great you move the marlins. So you have The Rangers and the Astros and want to throw a team in San Antonio? No.

I guess there's always Las Vegas or some New Mexico area.

PacNWCardsfan2 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 18:00 pm The MLB is in good shape overall.
Revenues, viewership, attendance, payroll are all increasing annually. Which tells you the league is healthy and moving in a positive direction.

It doesn't fix the salary cap/floor question. It doesn't fix Cleveland's complaint. However, it is a more probable outcome for the CBA than a floor and cap. The reality is the owners nor the players are ever going to agree to a cap and floor, so minor adjustments are all you're going to see. Neither will want a work stoppage, too much money involved. Last season revenues were like $12 billion, and as stated previously, the players got over $5 billion of that.
In the end, it's a business, which means making money is all that matters. Even the owners of small market teams make a profit each season or they wouldn't do it.

9 teams just lost their regional sports money. Revenue is going to take a hit.