Smoltz Warns MLB Risks 2026 Work Stoppage as CBA Fight Centers on Salary Cap

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

John Smoltz said MLB "cannot afford" a work stoppage when the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2026 season, warning the sport could squander recent momentum.
Salary-cap talks are driving the clash: MLB has pushed for a cap and floor, while the players' union remains firmly opposed, leaving the sides far apart after exchanging formal proposals in late May.
Smoltz said baseball's imbalance is real but doubted a new system would fix it, pointing to the Dodgers' 2024 and 2025 titles, the Mets' heavy spending, and what he called eight to 10 teams that are not trying to win.
He also argued the sport's economics are skewing younger players' earnings—2% of players make 98% of the money—and said salary caps in other leagues have not reliably created parity.
The warning comes as MLB says exclusive national-game viewership is up 44% from last season, underscoring the stakes if labor negotiations derail the sport's rebound.