Baseball players ask for expanded free agency, salary arbitration rights, almost doubling minimum

Major League Baseball's players union presented its initial economic proposals on May 28, 2026, calling for expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights, nearly doubling the major league minimum salary, and increasing revenue sharing among clubs. The proposals came one day before MLB was expected to make a salary cap proposal during ongoing collective bargaining sessions. Baseball's current labor contract is set to expire on December 1, with MLB anticipated to institute a lockout, while players have firmly stated they will not accept a salary cap.