MLB labor talks: what they are saying

“The system that's being proposed, which is similar to other leagues in terms of revenue-sharing system, not only will help us compete, but more importantly all of the teams with lower payrolls, too, which is something also I think the fans want”

“So the question is if you have a different revenue system, do you have more hope?”

“A shorter regular season unlocks making October even better for our fans—with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer Division Series, and more opportunities to see the game's best pitchers on the biggest stage”

“Under our proposal, major-league players will receive more compensation in year one of the system than in 2026.”

“Unfortunately, they do not address and in fact exacerbate the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us we must address.”

“Our commitment has been and remains to exhaust every realistic option to achieve our goal of reaching an agreement with the Players Association.”

“I do believe that it's been proven that having a salary cap does make sense for the business”

“My take is there's got to be some structure so that all the teams can compete, and there's got to be some type of formality there”

“I think that I have an ownership group that is more united than any group in my entire time of baseball.”

“And sometimes you've got to admit you failed.”

“If they're going to sit there and wave their little magic wand at us saying they're going to get a salary cap, it's not going to happen”

“It's further evidence that the league's purported 'competitive balance' justification for a salary cap holds no water”

“But that's never been the real reason why they want a salary cap. They want it to juice their profits and franchise values.”

“I think it's perverse.”

“Had MLB's proposal been in place in 2026, players, we estimate, would lose over half a billion dollars.”

“It's not even a real 50%”

“Our goal is to preserve and improve baseball's market system, rewarding competition on and off the field.”

“You don't want to be the generation to send something backwards. You just keep building on what former generations have given you and hope for the best.”

“It's a possibility that they are going to remain in their corners and no one's going to want to come meet in the middle.”

“It would be a real bummer to lose a season, that's for sure.”

“I think the industry as a whole is in way too good of a place.”

“I helped craft, one of many, the proposals that we have given at the bargaining table. And I support those proposals in their entirety.”

“If you don't have a salary cap, you don't have a sport, because they can't help themselves.”

“The salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field, allowing us greater flexibility to address longstanding player priorities while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50.”

“Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players' agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals.”

“While MLB claims to be acting in the interest of fans, their proposals thus far are entirely consistent with owners' long-held goals: suppressing player salaries and maximizing club profits.”