If MLB owners unite behind the idea that big payrolls equal success and start loudly pushing that narrative, it could pave the way for one of the most explosive changes in baseball history: a salary cap. Imagine that—a hard cap on spending that would fundamentally shift how teams operate, turning the game into an entirely different animal. 

The rich teams, like the Dodgers, would be forced to rethink their financial strategies, while smaller-market clubs might finally get a fighting chance. But this is no simple tweak to the system—it’s a seismic shift that could redefine the competitive balance of the sport. Enter Tony Clark, the fiery executive director of the players’ union, who is ready to take a stand against any moves that could limit players’ earnings. 

Tony Clark didn’t hold back when addressing the growing concerns over MLB’s spending, taking aim at the very foundation of the arguments being made by the league and its owners. “The league, and the owners it represents, have been predicting doom for decades to justify more restrictions on salaries,” Clark said in an interview with the LA Times. But, as the executive points out, the reality is far from doom and gloom—the game has never been healthier. 

So, Clark’s question is simple: “How is it that the game is breaking revenue records, but we have as many teams as we do who are unwilling to improve their club by signing players?” It’s a valid point. With more teams making the playoffs than ever before, the opportunity for success is there for the taking, yet too many teams seem content with the status quo, unwilling to spend on players who could propel them to the next level. 

Is a salary cap really going to solve MLB’s problems? 

MLB is still plagued by the threat of a pay limit, particularly in the wake of the 1994 strike, in which owners’ demands for a cap resulted in a player walkout that ruined the season’s last two months and postponed the start of the 1995 campaign. In order to avoid making the same mistakes twice, the owners have remained noticeably silent on the subject of a pay ceiling ever since. 

“I am a huge believer in the idea that there are always multiple solutions to a particular set of concerns,” Manfred said when asked about the issue. His response signals that he’s open to exploring alternatives to the drastic measure of a salary cap, hoping to find a way to balance the scales without triggering another conflict between owners and players. 

Increased revenue sharing is one possible remedy that might be considered. This could provide more funding to the clubs in smaller markets and possibly level the playing field. Teams like the Dodgers, who are at the top of the payroll scale and stand to lose out if more of their money is disbursed, could undoubtedly suffer from this approach.