MLBPA makes its first CBA proposal, highlights increased minimum salary and new 'integrity tax'
The 2026 MLB offseason is one that fans have been dreading because the current collective bargaining agreement between the MLB Players Association and the owners expires on Dec. 1.
Recent reports suggested that discussions about the CBA would start soon, and on Wednesday, the MLBPA submitted its first CBA proposal. The owners are expected to submit their first proposal on Thursday.
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The MLBPA proposal largely focused on salary increases and ways to raise league-wide payroll.
Here are some of the highlights of the MLBPA’s proposal:
Significant increases to 40-man minimums, including a major-league minimum salary of $1.5 million beginning in 2027
A new “Competitive Integrity Tax” applying to clubs that fail to meet minimum payroll benchmarks
Expansion of salary arbitration eligibility
Enhanced compensation and contract guarantees for players in salary arbitration
Increased benefits for lower-revenue clubs who lose players to free agency
Qualified free agency for players with five or more years of service who have reached age 30
“Luxury Tax” threshold increases and removal of non-monetary policies
Expanded draft lottery to further deincentivize tanking
Increased revenue sharing that initially guarantees every small-market club a minimum of $240 million in revenue every season
Penalties for clubs that neglect to spend revenue-sharing payments on team payroll
Draft picks and other benefits for low-revenue clubs active in free agency and other signings
The MLBPA is asking for an increase to minimum salaries. Currently, the minimum salary is $750,000, so the proposal is to double it. One of the more interesting aspects of the proposal is the new “Competitive Integrity Tax,” which would tax franchises that fail to meet minimum payroll benchmarks.
Essentially, the MLBPA wants to ensure that teams are spending money, and it offered a reward proposal to encourage low-revenue teams to be active in free agency.
Glen Caplin, a spokesperson for MLB, released a statement after the proposal was submitted.
“We understand their [the MLPA’s] proposals are designed to benefit players. Unfortunately, they do not address and in fact exacerbate the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us we must address.
The MLBPA’s proposal would reduce the amount transferred to lower-revenue Clubs, weaken the Competitive Balance Tax, and lead to even more payroll disparity than exists today.
For example, under the Union’s proposal, the Dodgers would pay less in luxury tax payments, giving them an additional $70 million to spend on payroll.”
With the MLBPA submitting its proposal first, all eyes now turn to the owners' proposal expected on Thursday. The owners have long wanted to push for a salary cap, per Jeff Passan, and the details of the proposed cap could offer a look at how big a battle the two sides are heading into.
