TAMPA — There’s nothing like some CBA consult with put a damper on spring training, especially when it looks like baseball may very well be headed for one more work stoppage after essentially the most recent agreement expires following the 2026 season.
But that’s where the game is, as commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark get their talking points ready heading into the season.
Clark was at Steinbrenner Field on Monday as a part of his MLB-wide tour of camps to handle concerns amongst his union regarding the sport, its rules and economics.
game in October 2024. Charles Wenzelberg
And after Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner reiterated that he doesn’t consider a $300 million payroll is sustainable for his franchise and that he’d favor a salary cap if it got here together with a floor, Clark responded Monday.
Asked about Steinbrenner’s statements, Clark — who was a Yankee in 2004 — paused before answering.
“There are teams who’re, 12 months in and 12 months out, focused on putting the perfect team on the sphere that they’ll,’’ Clark said. “There are some teams which can be interested by having a system that affords them the power to not need to ensure decisions. I had a chance to play for the Yankees in 2004, and we got here up short [after being] up 3-0 within the playoffs against Boston. I still don’t sleep well. Every time you come up short, you search for a solution to attempt to be the last team standing. I understand the priority across the number, or the purpose being made across the number. But Recent York is in a fairly good financial position.”
And as Steinbrenner noted last month, the Yankees proceed to have certainly one of the very best payrolls in the sport.
Their luxury tax payroll currently sits around $307 million to $308 million, which is above the very best tax threshold of $301 million.
What’s more damaging for the game than whether the Yankees match the Dodgers or the Mets dollar for dollar is that either side are preparing for a battle even with a 12 months left before negotiations are set to start.
And the opportunity of a salary cap will again be a problem.
“You don’t need to have a cap to handle the concerns which can be being voiced,’’ Clark said of the league. “We’ve made proposals. There’s a reason they desire a salary cap and it’s not tied to competitive balance. It’s tied to advantages ownership and the league are going to get. The sport doesn’t need it.”
Clark was also unmoved by complaints in regards to the Dodgers’ spending this offseason.
“What the Dodgers are doing isn’t any different than what other teams have done prior to now,’’ Clark said. “The sky has been falling in our industry for a long time. What I feel and what I do know is the players consider the sport itself is in an incredible place when all 30 teams are focused on being the last team standing. We all know all 30 teams can do this, should they decide to.”
TAMPA — There’s nothing like some CBA consult with put a damper on spring training, especially when it looks like baseball may very well be headed for one more work stoppage after essentially the most recent agreement expires following the 2026 season.
But that’s where the game is, as commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark get their talking points ready heading into the season.
Clark was at Steinbrenner Field on Monday as a part of his MLB-wide tour of camps to handle concerns amongst his union regarding the sport, its rules and economics.
game in October 2024. Charles Wenzelberg
And after Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner reiterated that he doesn’t consider a $300 million payroll is sustainable for his franchise and that he’d favor a salary cap if it got here together with a floor, Clark responded Monday.
Asked about Steinbrenner’s statements, Clark — who was a Yankee in 2004 — paused before answering.
“There are teams who’re, 12 months in and 12 months out, focused on putting the perfect team on the sphere that they’ll,’’ Clark said. “There are some teams which can be interested by having a system that affords them the power to not need to ensure decisions. I had a chance to play for the Yankees in 2004, and we got here up short [after being] up 3-0 within the playoffs against Boston. I still don’t sleep well. Every time you come up short, you search for a solution to attempt to be the last team standing. I understand the priority across the number, or the purpose being made across the number. But Recent York is in a fairly good financial position.”
And as Steinbrenner noted last month, the Yankees proceed to have certainly one of the very best payrolls in the sport.
Their luxury tax payroll currently sits around $307 million to $308 million, which is above the very best tax threshold of $301 million.
What’s more damaging for the game than whether the Yankees match the Dodgers or the Mets dollar for dollar is that either side are preparing for a battle even with a 12 months left before negotiations are set to start.
And the opportunity of a salary cap will again be a problem.
“You don’t need to have a cap to handle the concerns which can be being voiced,’’ Clark said of the league. “We’ve made proposals. There’s a reason they desire a salary cap and it’s not tied to competitive balance. It’s tied to advantages ownership and the league are going to get. The sport doesn’t need it.”
Clark was also unmoved by complaints in regards to the Dodgers’ spending this offseason.
“What the Dodgers are doing isn’t any different than what other teams have done prior to now,’’ Clark said. “The sky has been falling in our industry for a long time. What I feel and what I do know is the players consider the sport itself is in an incredible place when all 30 teams are focused on being the last team standing. We all know all 30 teams can do this, should they decide to.”
