The salary cap debate is back in MLB, and this time, it might be surfacing most notoriously. And probably, that’s expected… Former pitcher Jacob Turner once called the MLBPA “the strongest players’ union in professional sports,” and history backs him up. We still remember the cautionary tale of 1994, when a players’ strike obliterated the postseason and left a scar on the game.

That memory looms over today’s conversations. Commissioner Rob Manfred, well aware of the union’s power, has taken to annual clubhouse visits to understand players’ sentiment toward a potential salary cap. But these quiet efforts might be building up the tension some more. Phillies’ veteran Bryce Harper’s reaction to Manfred is just one example there. And now, former Twin, Trevor Plouffe, believes the answer to the salary cap is no, hinting that baseball may be inching toward another labor standoff.

“The union is already galvanized. It’s the strongest union in sports… Points get hammered into each player’s head… I’ll share some stuff. During the All-Star week, when I was there, I got approached by some people who were talking about Rob Manfred going around to the clubhouses… This guy [one that Plouffe talked to] was on the PA side. He [the guy] said that’s been…a great tool for us because he hasn’t been able to answer a lot of the questions that the guys have had. So, Manfred going around, preemptively talking about a lockout, preemptively talking about a salary cap has already sparked a bunch of conversation… I guess you could say also galvanize the players’ association.” Trevor Plouffe talked about what Manfred’s clubhouse visits mean in an episode of Baseball Today.

Every year, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stops by all 30 clubhouses to connect with players, smooth over league relations, and give a heads-up on any upcoming changes to the game. But his recent visit to the Phillies’ clubhouse didn’t exactly go as planned. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, things got heated when Bryce Harper went face-to-face with Manfred and dropped a choice expletive.

Harper isn’t on board with the idea of a salary cap because he’s seen what it does to players firsthand. Back in 2010, when he was drafted, he signed a total of $10.9 million ($9.9 million plus another million in roster bonuses). But then, just two years later, MLB put a cap on draft spending. The top pick in 2012, Byron Buxton, only got $6 million.

And that’s what players in the clubhouse are talking about. According to Plouffe, the fact that Manfred doesn’t have good answers for them is only making the situation worse.

And now the issue is expected to be front and center in next year’s collective bargaining talks between MLB and the players’ union. While owners have long been pressing for a salary cap by the December 2026 deadline on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between MLBPA, Manfred became the face of implementing the change.

Voices are growing stronger against Manfred’s push for a salary cap

The opposing voice didn’t just stop at Harper. “Young players need to talk with veterans like Harper,” agent Scott Boras commented on the renewed issue.

The current agreement with the MLBPA runs out in December 2026. And the only reason for Manfred to renew the salary cap discussion is to soften up fans and players for the cause. However, amid all this chaos, one question remains unanswered. Does the salary cap work?

NFL is one of the pioneers in implementing the salary cap. However, that league has been dominated by a few franchises. The Patriots, Chiefs, and Eagles have won 8 of the last 11 Super Bowls. And only 11 different teams have even made the Super Bowl in that span. Meanwhile, MLB has seen nine different champions and 15 different World Series participants in the same period. So, if you’re looking for competitive imbalance, it’s more in NFL, not baseball.

So, unless there are answers, especially to why a cap is required, calls against the salary cap will only increase. Players will stay united against a cap, which sets up a near-certain work stoppage in 2026. And if that goes into the 2027 season, all the momentum MLB has built with rising attendance and ratings will evaporate.

With Harper getting vocal, it won’t be a surprise if we get to report a few more voices on the same concerns. But what are your thoughts on the salary cap, though? Join the conversation in our comment section…