MLB union head rejects owners’ salary cap proposal ahead of World Series

MLB Players Association head Bruce Meyer called the owners’ proposal of a salary cap a “nuclear bomb” and said players have no interest in the economic system Commissioner Rob Manfred says the sport needs to thrive. Meyer and Manfred held separate media sessions Friday near the first base dugout at American Family Field, shortly before the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays opened the World Series.

The current labor contract expires Dec. 1, and management is expected to immediately lock out the players. That work stoppage could threaten spring training workouts scheduled to begin Feb. 9 and opening day set for March 24.

Milwaukee ranked 19th in payroll as of Aug. 31 and Tampa Bay ranked 25th. The Brewers are in the World Series for the first time since 1982 and are seeking their first title, as are the Rays. Manfred said it has been 40 years since Milwaukee was in the Series and that once every 40 years is not enough.

Three low-payroll teams reached the League Championship Series this year. Tampa Bay eliminated Cleveland, which has the smallest payroll, in the ALCS, while Milwaukee eliminated the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meyer said the success of these teams shows the current economic system works and that there is no reason the Pittsburgh Pirates cannot do what the Brewers and Rays have done. Manfred argued that larger markets have a significant statistical advantage in reaching the playoffs and advancing in the postseason.

Meyer said the league and owners have again focused on telling consumers their product is broken rather than on the greatness of the game, players, and playoffs. He said MLB’s push for a salary cap is about increasing franchise values and capping costs, not competitive balance.