MLB Salary Cap Proposal Puts Dodgers’ Spending in Focus

MLB’s collective bargaining agreement expires on November 30, 2026, and the league and players’ union are negotiating over a possible salary cap. A new owners’ proposal would start a cap-and-floor system in 2028 rather than 2027, with the projected cap raised by $13 million and the floor by $9 million from the earlier plan. The sides have not reached an agreement.

The owners’ July proposal included a 50-50 split of baseball revenue, a $245.3 million hard cap and a $171.2 million floor. League spokesman Glen Caplin said the later start would give clubs a full offseason to adjust, while retaining proposed benefits such as earlier free agency, a $1 million minimum salary and a larger pre-arbitration bonus pool.

The players’ union rejected the offer, arguing that it would replace the current system with one that benefits owners. The union also objected to proposed changes to player compensation, rights and amateur entry systems. The meaning of “baseball revenue” is another concern, while the proposed cap and floor amounts are projections.

The Dodgers spent more than $339 million on payroll last season. Under the proposal’s projected figures, they would be among eight clubs required to reduce spending; 12 clubs would need to spend more than they did in 2026.

A work stoppage could also affect De Paula, who hit .303 in 124 Double-A games and .313 in 31 major-league at-bats after joining the Dodgers in September. If the agreement expires without a new deal, players on the 40-player roster would be prohibited from contacting team staff or accessing team facilities. That could limit the team’s ability to help De Paula prepare defensively for a possible starting outfield role.