The looming shadow of a potential MLB lockout is back, and it's time to talk about what the Atlanta Braves really want changed in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)!
We're all still feeling the sting from the 99-day lockout that nearly wiped out the 2022 season. While MLB and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) eventually struck a deal, it was a tense period, and the memory lingers for Braves fans. Now, with the current CBA set to expire after the 2027 season, it looks like history might be repeating itself. The MLBPA is already bracing for a potential lockout after the 2026 season, and we think it's the perfect time to imagine the Braves' ideal wish list for the upcoming negotiations.
But here's where it gets controversial: the salary cap. This has been the elephant in the room for decades, a major sticking point that even led to a player strike back in 1994. The players' union has always vehemently opposed it, and it's easy to see why.
Even with the Dodgers making waves by signing Kyle Tucker for an eye-watering $60 million per season, which has fueled fan and owner calls for a cap, it's worth noting that a salary cap might not directly impact the Braves' on-field performance as much as you'd think. However, from an ownership perspective, this is likely the main event. Atlanta has consistently been among the top-10 highest-spending teams since 2022. Even after a payroll cut of nearly $20 million in 2025, the financial chasm between the highest-spending Mets and the Braves was still significant, and even larger than the gap between the Braves and the Marlins at the bottom.
From the Braves' ownership viewpoint, a salary cap would theoretically level the playing field, shrinking the financial advantage of the super-rich teams. This could, in theory, help the Braves compete more effectively for top talent. And this is the part most people miss... while a cap might prevent a team like the Dodgers from offering a superstar like our own Ronald Acuña Jr. a staggering $65 million per season when he hits free agency after 2028, it could also hinder the Braves' ability to retain him. Considering the substantial salary commitments already lined up for 2029 for players like Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II, plus club options for Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy, the Braves might already be too close to a hypothetical cap to afford Acuña themselves!
While the salary cap will undoubtedly dominate discussions, it's not the only item on the agenda. We can also expect conversations around expanded postseason play, fair compensation for younger players, revenue sharing, and anti-tanking measures. The idea of an international draft might also resurface.
For the Braves, an expanded postseason would likely be a welcome addition. While winning the division outright is always the goal, the financial benefits of more playoff games are undeniable. Furthermore, the Braves might have benefited from stricter anti-tanking measures this past season, as their projected first-overall draft pick slipped significantly due to the success of teams intentionally prioritizing draft position over wins.
So, as the 2026-2027 MLB CBA negotiations heat up, the salary cap is poised to be the most significant hurdle. For Braves ownership, it's clearly the number one priority.
What are your thoughts on a salary cap in baseball? Do you think it would truly level the playing field, or would it stifle the excitement of big-name signings? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
