Major League Baseball (MLB) is facing renewed tensions between team owners and the players' union as discussions around a potential salary cap intensify ahead of the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Bruce Meyer, Deputy Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), characterized a lockout as the primary economic weapon used by MLB owners, describing it as detrimental to the game, fans, players, and their families. Meyer warned that implementing a salary cap could shift the revenue split further in favor of owners, reducing players' earnings. He also indicated that MLB has shown no interest in the MLBPA's proposed changes to the league's revenue-sharing system during recent negotiations. The league's push for a salary cap appears to be driven by a desire to control payroll costs, with some suggesting that the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with one of the highest payrolls, are being used as leverage in this effort. Meyer noted that in the past 25 years, the team with the top payroll has won the World Series only four times. Additionally, there is concern over a proposed free agency deadline, which the MLBPA believes would disadvantage players by giving clubs more leverage. Former general manager Jim Bowden highlighted the competitive imbalance, pointing out that none of the fifteen smallest-market teams have won a World Series in the last decade. While MLB has stated it has not formally proposed a salary cap, the union contends that owners are already pushing for one ahead of the upcoming labor talks. Critics argue that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's advocacy for a salary cap primarily serves the interests of the owners at the expense of the players.