MLB labor talks: who wants what

The labor agreement between MLB owners and the players union expires Dec. 1, 2026. Here is each side's latest public position, and the few points where they line up.

Until the MLB labor agreement expires (Dec. 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET)

The agreement expires Dec. 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

1. Current MLB proposal

As of Oct 22, 2026

A salary cap of $245.3M and a payroll floor of $171.2M for 2027, both counting benefits. (CBS Sports, as of May 28, 2026)
Players and clubs split revenue 50-50, with part of salaries held in escrow. (CBS Sports, as of May 28, 2026)
All local revenue pooled and shared equally among clubs. (CBS Sports, as of May 28, 2026)
Minimum salary of $1M for players with 2+ years of service and $900K under 2 years (now $780K). (CBS Sports, as of Jun 25, 2026)
Contract limits: 5 years for players who change teams, 6 years for "Cornerstone" players who stay. Deferred pay would be banned. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 25, 2026)
Draft cut to 12 rounds with a $200M hard bonus system. High school players would no longer be eligible. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 18, 2026)
An international draft with a $200M bonus cap. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 18, 2026)
A 154-game season and best-of-seven Division Series starting in 2029. (MLB.com, as of Oct 8, 2026)
Every MLB proposal so far depends on the union accepting the cap and floor, per CBS Sports. (CBS Sports, as of Oct 8, 2026)

2. Current MLBPA proposal

As of Oct 22, 2026

No salary cap. The union's leader calls a cap "a form of institutionalized collusion." (CBS Sports, as of Jun 1, 2026)
A "Competitive Integrity Tax" on clubs that don't meet minimum payroll benchmarks. (MLBPA, as of May 27, 2026)
Minimum salary of $1.5M starting in 2027. (MLBPA, as of May 27, 2026)
Raise the first luxury-tax threshold from $244M to $300M. (CBS Sports, as of May 27, 2026)
Revenue sharing that guarantees every small-market club at least $240M a season. (MLBPA, as of May 27, 2026)
Expanded salary arbitration eligibility. (MLBPA, as of May 27, 2026)
Keep the 20-round draft and high school eligibility, raise bonus money, and allow pick trades. (CBS Sports, as of Jul 21, 2026)
Says players already get "well over 50%" of revenue under MLB's own definitions. (Forbes, as of Jun 1, 2026)

3. Where they agree

As of Oct 22, 2026

There is little overlap. MLB ties its agreement on each point below to the union accepting a salary cap.

Free agency after 5 years of service for players age 30+. The union proposed it and MLB accepted it. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 25, 2026)
End the qualifying offer system for free agents. The union proposed it and MLB accepted it. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 25, 2026)
Make players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft sooner. Both sides proposed it. (CBS Sports, as of Jul 1 & Aug 27, 2026)
Fewer minor-league option moves per season (now 5). MLB proposes 4 and the union proposes 3. (CBS Sports, as of Jul 1 & Aug 27, 2026)
Raise the minimum salary, but the amounts differ: MLB $900K–$1M, the union $1.5M. (CBS Sports, as of Jun 25, 2026)