The players are concerned that if those rich teams are subject to a virtual hard cap, it's going to limit the spending on free agents in general.
The system is set up so that free agency is where the real payoff is for the players. They work cheap a few years and then they hit the open market. They don't like the idea of that market being clamped down on.
But like I say, why do the owners all of a sudden think such a huge change needs to be made in the tax rates and penalties?
They're not making enough money?
I don't get it.
The owners trying to impose a hard cap is like them saying "There was a semi-soft cap, but we're taking it away. End of story."
We can ask why is that a big deal to the players, but on the other hand, why is it such a big deal to the owners all of a sudden?
Can't forget there are other penalties besides the tax itself.
MLB wants to make those stiffer too.
They're proposing that if you go over the threshold the third time in a row, you not only pay 100% tax, you lose your first-round draft pick.
They want to make it so stupid to go over that no team will want to do it.
They certainly did. I'm not saying they're turning into the Pirates.
But the old Yankees would have added another expensive starter to Cole.
Their total payroll has kind of "stabilized" in recent years.
Well, I think we have good reason to be concerned that we're not going to get a full season, based on the less than glorious history of MLB negotiations.
But if you're OK with a 120 game season, then sure, you can sit back and relax...
I understand how you feel.
The only issue for me is that as a pro sports fan, I have to admit that I'm part of the problem. If it wasn't for pro sports fans, there would be no pro sports teams and no team owners.
The increases to the limits are pretty small - especially in view of the inflationary trend. But they're reasonable.
The increases in the tax rates are kind of bizarre.
It's almost like they're trying to put the clamps on the Dodgers...
With what's going on with NFL owners (like Miami's and Washington's) I am just about ready to join the club that thinks most sports team owners are complete jackasses.
But I do not include Henry in that group, because to me he has treated Red Sox fans pretty well from Day One.
The increases in tax rates being asked for by the owners are crazy.
Going from 20/30/50 to 50/75/100 - are you kidding me?
To me that's a telltale sign this is not going to be settled any time soon.
The owners don't need money, but they do like it quite a bit, apparently.
Otherwise they wouldn't be fighting so hard for some of these spending disincentives.
MLB proposed luxury tax thresholds:
214 mill
214
216
218
222
But MLB is proposing MONSTER increases in the tax rates.
From 20/30/50
To 50/75/100 !!!
Plus losses of draft picks. You can lose your first-round pick for going over a third time.
Yikes.
But if the reports are true, Lester was treating the Sox very much as a contender for his services. He even took the step of informing the Giants it was down to the Sox and the Cubs.
Theo had to pay a pretty hefty premium to close the deal.
Total speculation based on nothing.
What's not speculation is that Mookie stated himself that he came very close to accepting an earlier extension offer (which was reported as $200 million for 8 years).