"M.L.B.'s owners look likely to lock out the players when the collective bargaining agreement expires in December 2026 in an effort to bring a cap to the sport. As the world watches, baseball is in jeopardy. Four more wins and really ruin baseball. The Dodgers top four pitchers all basically came from the market, and not at a small price over $1 billion. Then there's the hitting, buoyed by a trio of M.V.P.s, all L.A. transplants."
"Brewers, who the Dodgers just beat in the N.L.C.S., will make about $35 million in their local TV deal this year. The Dodgers about 10 times that. Their deal's over $300 million a year. Most owners see this as a problem, which is why the push for the first ever salary cap is expected. The Players Association doesn't want a salary cap, and this all but guarantees a lockout between owners and players. Anti-salary cap folks point to teams just collecting a check."
"As pointed out by Ken Rosenthal, at The Athletic, the Cleveland Guardians traded away their first and second baseman one year after making the American League Championship, and also the Twins, one year removed from winning their first postseason series in 21 years, went into payroll retreat. In a lot of ways, the Dodgers are showing us how an organization should be run. If we include salary deferrals, they're spending more than any other team."
"So if Moneyball showed us how a team can win cheaply, the Dodgers are showing us how to win completely. Of course, with the money that they have, they're kind of already starting on second base. The last 17 World Series winners? They've all been in the top-10 for payroll. If the Dodgers win a few more, baseball in La La Land might become a little stale, at least to those living outside of Los Angeles and Japan."
Owners are likely to lock out players when the collective bargaining agreement expires in December 2026 to push for a salary cap. The Dodgers spend more than any other team, backed by a TV deal exceeding $300 million a year and more than $1 billion invested in top pitching and star hitters. Small-market teams receive far less local revenue, creating competitive imbalance and prompting payroll retreats by teams like the Guardians and Twins. The Players Association opposes a salary cap, making a lockout probable. Sustained Dodgers dominance could deepen perceived unfairness and fan discontent outside major markets.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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