Some MLB owners are reportedly quite unhappy with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading them to consider pushing for a salary cap.
As per The Athletic’s Evan Drelich, these owners are “furious” about the Dodgers’ recent signing of right fielder Kyle Tucker. This move has galvanized their resolve, with sources suggesting that the promotion of a salary cap is now “100% certain” among them.
“They’re going to pursue the cap regardless,” one insider noted in a conversation with The Athletic.
Recently, the Dodgers signed Tucker to a staggering four-year, $240 million contract, boasting an average annual value of $60 million—second only to Shohei Ohtani among hitters. This deal is being seen as the most expensive in sports due to the unique nature of Ohtani’s deal, which includes deferred payments.
Tucker was considered the top free agent during the 2026 offseason.
The Dodgers, having recently secured back-to-back World Series titles, are projected to spend over $413 million on salaries this season. While that figure has seen a slight decrease from 2025, it still stands as the highest in the league. Only three other teams—the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays—are expected to exceed the $300 million threshold.
BREAKING: Officials say it’s ‘100 percent certain’ MLB owners will seek salary cap increase after Kyle Tucker signs free agent deal with Los Angeles Dodgers @EvanDrellich. pic.twitter.com/v3y5Kumr3Y
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 20, 2026
In contrast, teams like the Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins are expected to have payrolls ranging between $100 million and $120 million. Notably, half of MLB’s 30 franchises are anticipated to spend less than $200 million next season.
While Tucker’s contract ignited the current discontent among owners, another factor is shortstop Beau Bichette’s three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets, which seems to have intensified frustrations. According to The Athletic, these two teams might pose significant challenges in the quest for implementing a salary cap.
Discussions about a salary cap have been ongoing in baseball, particularly regarding the widening pay gap across the league. Setting both salary floors and ceilings is expected to be a prominent topic at the owners’ meeting in February.
For any proposed collective agreement to be blocked, eight votes against it would be needed. The players’ union has historically resisted salary cap initiatives, even causing a work stoppage in the past to prevent its adoption.
The existing collective bargaining agreement is set to expire right before midnight on December 1, 2026. Many critical issues remain unsettled as negotiations for a new contract proceed, and while there’s time left—along with an entire season—a resolution to the salary cap debate doesn’t seem imminent. The Dodgers’ high spending has only emphasized that point.
The Daily Caller has reached out to Major League Baseball for a statement.
